A worker grinds a piece of metal in a factory in Quebec City on February 28, 2012. A new survey of Canadian employers suggests businesses expect the hiring climate this summer to be relatively positive but the weakest in more than two years. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot
June 12, 2012 - 12:05 AM
TORONTO - A new survey of Canadian employers suggests businesses expect the hiring climate in the third quarter to be relatively positive, but worse than it was during the same period of 2011.
The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey finds that 23 per cent of employers surveyed plan to increase their payrolls during the third quarter, while five per cent anticipate cutbacks.
About 70 per cent expect to maintain their current staffing levels, while two per cent say they are unsure of their hiring intentions for the upcoming quarter.
Manpower says the results from the survey of more than 1,900 employers suggest one of the most subdued employer forecasts in more than two years.
Still, it says job seekers in all regions should benefit from the steady hiring climate from July to September.
By region, employers in Western Canada reported the most favourable outlook.
"Although some outlooks have decreased slightly compared to the previous quarter, job seekers should maintain confidence in the labour market as employers throughout Canada anticipate the hiring pace will remain upbeat through the summer," said Byrne Luft, vice-president of operations for staffing services at Manpower Canada.
By sector, employers in mining had the most favourable outlook, followed by those in transportation and public utilities and finance, insurance and real estate.
Employers in manufacturing and education were least upbeat for the coming quarter.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2012