Manpower survey shows companies in hiring mode

Many Iowa employers expect to hire new workers at a brisk pace during the second quarter of 2005, according to the latest survey from Manpower Incorporated. From April to June, 30-percent of the Iowa companies surveyed said they plan to hire more employees, while only three-percent expect to reduce their payrolls, according to Manpower spokesman Mike Lynch. Hiring looks very robust, Lynch says, with the scene looking particularly promising in cities like Burlington, the Quad Cities, Marshalltown, Waterloo, Des Moines and Cedar Rapids. Lynch says only a few employers or cities are looking toward the quarter ahead with trepidation. He says the Iowa City area, Mason City and Muscatine are all not as strong, with expected hirings and firings coming out about even. Employers in two areas, the Iowa Quad Cities and Marshalltown, report expected hirings of 47-percent, which Lynch says is much higher than usual, but encouraging. He says for the coming quarter, job prospects appear best in construction, durable goods manufacturing, transportation/public utilities, wholesale/retail trade, services and public administration. Hiring in non-durable goods manufacturing, finance/insurance/real estate and education is expected to remain unchanged.