Manpower Forecasts Slow but Steady Hiring

Manpower’s survey says 19 percent of Wisconsin employers plan to add workers in the next three months, while 8 percent expect layoffs. Almost three-quarters predict no change. The state October-December jobs outlook is slightly better than Manpower’s one for the nation, but weaker than the Wisconsin forecast for the current quarter.

Manpower Vice President Melanie Holmes says Wisconsin hiring is not robust. “We’ve seen steady employment growth for the past three years, but the numbers aren’t coming up very fast. The numbers are remaining pretty steady quarter to quarter. I guess this means that employers are making pretty tough decisions and hard decisions about their hiring plans. They’re not jumping in to increasing their staffs at a tremendous pace.”

Holmes says job prospects in Wisconsin appear best in construction, durable goods manufacturing and several other sectors. The survey says government plans to reduce staffing.