Intention to hire new staff is at highest level since
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2005 Worua; Laura Ha.ne HIRING INTENTIONS in the transport sector are at their most positive for eight years, the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey has revealed.
The quarterly survey asked UK employers in nine sectors whether they intend to hire additional workers, or reduce the size of their workforce in the coming economic quarter. For 02 2013 the transport sector's net employment outlook is +17%, up 19 percentage points from -2% last quarter.
"We are pleased to see that the outlook in the transport sector has moved firmly into positive territory, and is the most positive number we have seen since 2005," said Simon Edwards, Manpower sector director for logistics. He added that the increased outlook might be "a rebalance of the past year's hiring freezes and reductions" or an indication that "the time has now arrived to increase staffing levels as companies look forward".
"Either way, this outlook bodes well for us all," said Edwards.
"We are also seeing a return of skills shortages during peak demand periods at all levels; not only in the traditional areas of driver resource, but also at mid to senior management levels."
The outlook for the construction sector for 02 remained gloomy with a rating of -11%, which means the sector has now recorded a negative outlook every quarter for the past five years.
The most optimistic hiring intentions for 02 after the transport industry, were reported by the finance and business services sector with a score of +13%.
• The Manpower Employment Outlook survey is based on responses from 2,100 UK employers and is used as a key economic statistic by both the Bank of England and the government.