Hiring agency forecasts steady job market
A steady job market is expected from July through September in the Mahoning Valley, a hiring survey said.
About 77 percent of companies that responded to the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey said they expect to retain current staff levels in the third quarter. About 17 percent said they intend to hire more employees, while 3 percent said they expect to reduce their work force. The remaining 3 percent said they are unsure of hiring plans.
The results were similar to those in the second-quarter forecast, when 13 percent of companies predicted an increase in hiring and 3 percent intended to cut back. In the third quarter last year, results matched the current forecast, with 17 percent expecting to hire and 3 percent expecting to cut back.
The best job prospects locally are in wholesale and retail trade, education and services, said the temporary hiring agency. Durable goods manufacturers are expecting to cut back.
Nationally, 30 percent of companies responding to the current survey expect to increase hiring in the third quarter, while 6 percent expect to cut back.