Canadian employers project a modest hiring climate in early 2008

According to the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey, the hiring climate in Canada will be positive between January and March 2008.

The survey of more than 1,700 Canadian employers reveals that 16 per cent plan to increase their payrolls while 10 per cent anticipate cutbacks for a Net Employment Outlook of +6 per cent. 72 per cent of those polled expect no changes of their staffing intentions for the first quarter of 2008 while 2 per cent are unsure.

Atlantic Canada employers project a moderate hiring climate as 14 per cent plan to hire while 9 per cent expect cutbacks for a Net Employment Outlook of +5 per cent. Ontario employers predict a flat hiring climate for first quarter of 2008 as 11 per cent plan to add staff and 11 per cent anticipate cutbacks. Quebec employers report a moderate hiring climate for the first quarter of 2008 as 18 per cent of employers plan to hire and 10 per cent project cutbacks for a Net Employment Outlook of 8 per cent. Employers in Western Canada once again predict the most active regional Net Employment Outlook for the country as 29 per cent expect to hire and 7 per cent project cutbacks for a Net Employment Outlook of +22 per cent.

In Atlantic Canada, Halifax area employers report the most robust hiring prospects with a Net Employment Outlook of +27 per cent. Job seekers in Ottawa and Toronto expect a conservative three months as both areas report a Net Employment Outlook of +5 per cent. Fort Erie and Barrie area employers report the most upbeat hiring intentions in Ontario with a projected Net Employment Outlook of +13 per cent and +10 per cent respectively. In Quebec, job seekers in Granby expect a healthy hiring climate with a reported Net Employment Outlook of +23 per cent. Employers in Sherbrooke and Quebec City anticipate a steady-to-moderate three-month period with a Net Employment Outlook of +10 per cent and +8 per cent respectively. Edmonton and Red Deer employers project dynamic hiring expectations in Alberta for the first quarter of 2008, as both report a Net Employment Outlook of +40 per cent. Calgary employers anticipate a bright hiring climate with a Net Employment Outlook of +30 per cent. Job seekers in Vancouver (British Columbia) and Regina (Saskatchewan) may look forward to a strong hiring climate with reported Net Employment Outlooks of +25 per cent. Employers in Victoria, British Columbia anticipate an upbeat hiring forecast with a Net Employment Outlook of +13 per cent.

Of the 10 surveyed industry sectors, Construction employers report the most dynamic results for the January to March period of 2008 with a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of +40 per cent – the strongest among all of the industry sectors surveyed. Employers in the Mining sector anticipate another robust quarter with a Net Employment Outlook of +35 per cent.

Employers in the Wholesale and Retail trade sector expect a strong three months with a Net Employment Outlook of +29 per cent. Employers in the Services sector also predict an active hiring climate with a Net Employment Outlook of +22 per cent. The Public Administration sector anticipates a healthy first quarter, reporting a Net Employment Outlook of +20 per cent.

Employers in the Transportation and Public Utilities sector expect a steady hiring climate with a Net Employment Outlook of +17 per cent. Employers in the Education sector also expect a positive first quarter with a Net Employment Outlook of +16 per cent. Employers in Finance, Insurance and Real Estate industry anticipate a respectable quarter with a reported Net Employment Outlook of +14 per cent.

In the Manufacturing – Durable Goods sector employers project an upbeat climate with a Net Employment Outlook of +18 per cent – the sector’s strongest Outlook since the first quarter of 2001. Employers in the Manufacturing – Non-Durable Goods sector predict a hopeful hiring climate with a Net Employment Outlook of +10 per cent.