Today, Manpower Inc., the nation's largest temporary employment agency, released the results of its survey of employer hiring plans for the upcoming second quarter of 1996. The poll covered 15,000 firms and revealed that 26 percent of the respondents planned to increase employment during the three month period starting in April. This is down from a 30 percent figure for the same quarter last year. Of the remaining survey participants, 63 percent indicated no change in hiring plans for the second quarter and 8 percent reported that they would decrease hiring.

Construction jobs are expected to lead the way with 36 percent of firms indicating the intention to increase hiring. Durable goods manufacturers were second with 31 percent planning to increase payrolls. At the bottom of the list, tied at 11 percent, were the mining and education sectors.

Geographically, it looks like the Midwest will lead the way. 48 percent of construction companies and 32 percent of manufacturers in that region plan to employ more people. The South came in second with 33 percent of construction firms and 25 percent of manufacturers reporting plans to step up hiring.

Throughout the past several months, reports by the National Association of Purchasing Management, and the district federal reserve banks have all revealed a slowdown in employment in the manufacturing sector. We'll be monitoring these reports in the coming months to see whether these predictions of increased hiring come true.

Byline: Lafferty (MF Merlin)