Job prospects in manufacturing disappointing

A Manpower product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Mar 31, 2004

Second quarter research released by Manpower shows job prospects in the manufacturing sector are positive but well below the national average.

Despite last weeks CBI report of a sharp improvement in manufacturing orders, second quarter research released by Manpower shows job prospects in the manufacturing sector are positive but well below the national average.

On balance, only 4% of employers are planning to increase staffing levels.

Hazel Detsiny, Director at Manpower, says: "Although there have been recent reports that orders and output are up in the manufacturing sector, there is still little evidence that the recovery is translating into job creation.

Employer hiring intentions have remained stable from last quarter but do show a slight year-on-year fall.

If we look at the hiring trend over time, we can see that employers are predicting to add the lowest numbers to their payrolls in five years".

Unique in its predictive nature, the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey provides a forecast of employer hiring intentions for the quarter ahead: April to June 2004.

2500 UK employers are surveyed and over 35,000 employers in 18 countries globally.

The survey is widely used by Government and industry, including the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee, as evidence of labour market activity.

Detsiny adds: "We must also take into consideration the changing landscape of the UK economy.

Indeed one of the reasons there are fewer jobs available in the manufacturing sector is simply because we are increasingly becoming a services led country.

Jobs will continue to be created in the manufacturing sector but at a much smaller rate than decades ago".

Across those European countries surveyed by Manpower, the majority of manufacturing employers reported a more optimistic outlook compared to previous quarter.

Irish employers in the manufacturing sector expect the most improved job prospects followed by Austria.

German employers continue to forecast negative hiring intentions, despite a recorded quarter-on-quarter improvement.

Manufacturing employers surveyed in the USA were more optimistic for the quarter ahead.

Comments Jeffrey A Joerres, Chairman and CEO of Manpower Inc: "The US survey results are the most optimistic we have seen since first quarter of 2001.

This is the third straight quarter of increased hiring activity for the country as a whole, as well as for the important manufacturing sectors".

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