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Manpower Sees Modest Hiring In Metro Detroit, Stronger Outstate

DETROIT -- Employers in the Detroit-Warren-Livonia metro area expect to hire at a moderate pace in the fourth quarter beginning Oct. 1, according to the quarterly Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.

The hiring outlook is somewhat more brisk in the Grand Rapids area and for the state as a whole, Manpower said.

In the Detroit area, from October to December, 13 percent of companies interviewed plan to hire more employees, while 7 percent expect to reduce staff. Another 78 percent expect to maintain their current workforce levels and 2 percent are not certain of their hiring plans. This yields a Net Employment Outlook of 6 percent.

"As we look at the final months of the year, employment prospects are trending considerably weaker compared to the third quarter of 2012 when the Net Employment Outlook was 22 percent," said Manpower spokesman Shane Weaver. "Hiring plans are slightly more optimistic compared to one year ago when the Net Employment Outlook was 3 percent."

For the coming quarter in the Detroit area, job prospects appear best in construction, durable and non-durable goods manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, information, financial activities and professional and business services. Employers in transportation and utilities, education and health services and government plan to reduce staffing levels, while hiring in leisure and hospitality and other services is expected to remain unchanged.

In the Grand Rapids - Wyoming metro area, the outlook is stronger.

From October to December, 18 percent of the companies interviewed plan to hire more employees, while 7 percent expect to reduce staff. Another 73 percent expect to maintain their current workforce levels and 2 percent are not certain of their hiring plans. This yields a Net Employment Outlook* of 11 percent.

"As we look at the final months of the year, employment prospects are trending weaker compared to the third quarter of 2012 when the Net Employment Outlook was 18 percent," said Manpower spokewoman Jill Momber. "Hiring plans are similar compared to one year ago when the Net Employment Outlook was 11 percent."

In the Grand Rapids area for the coming quarter, job prospects appear best in wholesale and retail trade, information, financial activities, professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, other services and government. Employers in education and health Services plan to reduce staffing levels, while hiring in construction, durable and non-durable goods manufacturing and transportation and utilities is expected to remain unchanged.

For the state as a whole in the fourth quarter, 17 percent of the companies interviewed plan to hire more employees, while 8 percent expect to reduce their payrolls. Another 73 percent expect to maintain their current staff levels and 2 percent are not certain of their hiring plans. This yields a Net Employment Outlook of 9 percent.

"Employers' hiring plans for Quarter 4 2012 are considerably weaker compared to Quarter 3 2012 when the Net Employment Outlook was 21 percent," said Manpower spokesperson Becca Dernberger. "Compared to one year ago when the Net Employment Outlook was 9 percent, employers are equally optimistic about their staffing plans."

Statewide for the coming quarter, job prospects appear best in construction, durable and non-durable goods manufacturing, transportation and utilities, wholesale and retail trade, information, financial activities, professional and business services, leisure and hospitality and other services. Employers in education and health services plan to reduce staffing levels, while hiring in government is expected to remain unchanged.

Of the more than 18,000 employers surveyed in the United States, 17 percent expect to add to their workforces, and 9 percent expect a decline in their payrolls during the foruth quarter. Seventy-two percent of employers anticipate making no change to staff levels, and the remaining two percent of employers are undecided about their hiring plans. When seasonal variations are removed from the data, the Net Employment Outlook is plus 11 percent, identical to the Quarter 3 2012 Net Employment Outlook.

To view results for other Metropolitan Statistical Areas or states, visit http://press.manpower.com.

The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey is conducted quarterly to measure employers' intentions to increase or decrease the number of employees in their work forces during the next quarter. The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey's United States results are based on interviews with 18,000 employers located in the 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, which includes the largest 100 Metropolitan Statistical Areas based on number of business establishments. The mix of industries within the survey follows the North American Industry Classification System Supersectors and is structured to be representative of the U.S. economy.

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