Iowa’s employment picture is expected to improve as 2003 draws to a close. The latest survey from Manpower Incorporated shows many cities will see net gains in hirings during the year’s final quarter. Manpower spokesman Mike Lynch says Des Moines’ numbers are particularly encouraging. Lynch says from October to December, 27-percent of the companies interviewed in Des Moines plan to hire more employees, while 20-percent intend to reduce their workforces, for a net increase of seven-percent. Lynch says Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and the Quad Cities look particularly good. The only place where there is an expected net decrease is in Burlington. Lynch says overall, the state looks like it’ll be in a positive-growth situation. For the coming quarter, job prospects appear best in construction and durable and non-durable goods manufacturing. Employers in transportation/public utilities, education and public administration plan to reduce staffing levels, while those in wholesale/retail trade and services have mixed hiring intentions. Hiring activity is expected to remain the same in finance/insurance/real estate.