The job search could be a little more daunting over the next few months, as a new survey indicates few London area businesses are looking to add to their workforce.
According to the latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey, 10 per cent of local employers plan to hire during the third quarter of the year, while another 90 per cent intend to maintain their current staffing levels.
“With seasonal variations removed from the data, London’s third quarter Net Employment Outlook of +5 per cent is a seven percentage point decrease when compared to the previous quarterly Outlook,” ManpowerGroup’s London area spokesperson Heather Irvine said in a statement. “It is also a 13 percentage point decrease from the Outlook reported during the same time last year, indicating a stagnant hiring pace for the upcoming months.”
Across Canada, 19 per cent of employers plan to increase their staffing levels over the next three months, while three per cent anticipate cutbacks, according to the national employment agency. The survey also indicated 77 per cent of employers expect their current staffing levels will remain unchanged, and the remaining one per cent were unsure of their hiring intentions.
“The arrival of spring has brought good news for Canadian job seekers. Following a moderately upward swing in job growth at the start of 2019, the market is expected to grow through the next quarter,” said Darlene Minatel, country manager for ManpowerGroup. “Employers in Canada continue to struggle with talent shortages and are increasingly interested in hiring teachable candidates. Talent shortages are also leading many companies to offer more full-time roles."
Over 1,900 employers across Canada participated in the survey.
The public administration sector is expected to add the newest employees in the third quarter with 24 per cent of businesses planning to hire. However, that is a five percentage point decrease from the second quarter's reported forecast. Growth is also anticipated in the manufacturing, transportation, construction, education and finance, insurance, and real estate sectors.