Survey Forecasts Local Hiring Increase

A survey of local businesses suggests that Spokane’s employment picture will continue its slow-paced improvement trend during the second quarter of 1997.

The quarterly survey, conducted by Manpower Temporary Services, suggests that more local businesses plan to add workers during April, May and June than during the same quarter of 1996.

Sixteen percent of the local companies polled in the survey planned to add jobs, 3 percent planned work force reductions and 78 percent indicated their work force would not change.

That compares with 13 percent preparing to recruit more workers and 3 percent planning cutbacks, according to the same survey for the second quarter of 1996.

During the first quarter of 1997, the survey’s results showed that 16 percent of local companies polled anticipated hiring new employees while 6 percent anticipated reductions.

The survey indicated that job opportunities seem strongest this spring in wholesale and retail trade, services and public administration. Staff cuts are predicted in durable goods manufacturing.

That puts local trends at odds with the rest of the Western United States, according to Manpower.

The second-quarter survey for 13 Western states, including Washington and Montana, said all 10 industries surveyed reflect a more optimistic forecast than that of a year ago, “with the important durable goods manufacturing offering the brightest picture.”

Manpower bills itself as the world’s largest temporary help firm, annually providing employment to 1.5 million people through more than 2,400 offices in 42 countries.

, DataTimes