Dive Brief:
- Hiring intentions are at their strongest in 10 years, according to more than 11,000 employers surveyed by ManpowerGroup. The Net Employment Outlook, seasonally adjusted for the first quarter of 2018, is plus 19%. This marks the 14th consecutive quarter with an outlook of 15% or above.
- In the transportation and utilities sector, the outlook is the highest it’s been since 1982; in construction and durable goods the outlook is the highest it’s been in more than 10 years. All of the 13 industry sectors surveyed are looking to add staff, with leisure and hospitality topping the list at plus 28%.
- All regions of the U.S. are predicting growth. The Midwest is at its strongest reported level since 2001, compared to the same time last year. Across the country there is an increase of two percentage points. State-wide, Georgia, Florida, Hawaii and Utah report the strongest outlooks.
Dive Insight:
The survey reflects other findings that job numbers continue to rise. In the manufacturing sector, as employers plan to add new workers, they continue to struggle with the skills gap that makes it difficult to maintain current staffing levels. Coupled with the exodus of the boomer workforce, some are raising wages to compete for skilled and trainable employees.
There is a “renaissance” in manufacturing and construction, Manpower President Becky Frankiewicz said in a statement. Many companies, including Manpower, are working with communities to upskill workers. The digital manufacturing jobs available today and in the future are not for untrained talent. These are highly skilled roles that require an investment in training and development by employers. To fill them, employers are turning to apprenticeships and other creative solutions.
