Nearly one-third of the Iowa employers questioned in a new Manpower survey say they plan to increase the size of their workforce before the end of the year. Manpower spokesperson Mike Lynch says the employment outlook survey covers businesses in the state’s 11 major metropolitan areas.
He says 32% of the employers questioned plan to increase staff while 9% plan to decrease their workforce. All of the markets involved in the fourth quarter survey can anticipate a net increase in jobs. Lynch says employers in the Quad Cities and Ottumwa both plan to significantly boost workforces.
In the Quad Cities, 52% plan to add workers while 7% expect job cuts. In Ottumwa, 43% plan of the employers asked plan to add workers and 13% plan to decrease staff. "Overall, the entire state really looks relatively solid and probably slightly ahead of where the rest of the country is sitting at this point," Lynch said.
Considering the shaky housing market, it’s not a surprise what industries are expecting to decrease their employee base. "Probably job prospects are best in durable goods manufacturing, the wholesale retail trade and services," Lynch said.
"Those employers in the finance, insurance, real estate and public administration areas plan on decreasing staff." Lynch says the numbers from the fourth quarter survey in Iowa are similar to results of the survey taken prior to the third quarter of the year.