Survey: Higher Hiring Pace Expected In Q2

ByJohn S. McClenahen Including a notably higher rate of hiring among manufacturers of durable and nondurable goods, U.S. employers expect the pace of hiring from April through June of this year to be the strongest since the first quarter of 2001, indicates the latest employment outlook survey from Milwaukee-based Manpower Inc. Of 16,000 U.S. employers surveyed, 28% said they plan to increase hiring during this year's second quarter while 6% anticipate fewer opportunities for employment. Another 62% foresee no change in their hiring plans -- perhaps reflecting continued economic uncertainty. And 4% said they don't know what they'll do. Within manufacturing, 31% of durable goods producers surveyed expect to increase their hiring during the second quarter, 8% foresee a decrease and 57% forecast no change. Some 4% don't know. Among manufacturers of nondurable goods, 27% plan to increase hiring, 7% anticipate a decrease, 62% foresee no change and 4% don't know. Of the 10 sectors of the economy included in the survey, construction, with 42% of employers expecting to increase their hiring during the second quarter, is the most optimistic. Least optimistic is education: Only 15% of its employers expect to increase their hiring during the second quarter.