TORONTO, Mar 14, 2006 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX News Network) -- Canadian employers expect a strong hiring climate for the April to June period of 2006 according to the latest results of the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey, the most extensive, forward-looking employment survey in the world.

The survey of more than 1,700 Canadian employers reveals that 34 per cent plan to increase their payrolls while five per cent anticipate cutbacks for a Net Employment Outlook of 29 per cent. Of those polled, 58 per cent expect no changes and three per cent are unsure of their staffing intentions.

With seasonal variations removed from the survey data, the Net Employment Outlook of 21 per cent is a four per cent increase from the previous quarter, indicating hiring expectations continue to be solid for the second quarter of 2006.

"This quarter's Net Employment Outlook indicates that the solid hiring activity seen in the first quarter should expand slightly," said Lori Procher, VP and General Manager for Manpower Canada. "Employers are telling us that over the next three months they will continue to add to their payrolls at an even higher rate."

"Three of the four regional projections are in line with the national Net Employment Outlook," Procher adds. "Western Canada leads the country with a Net Employment Outlook of 48 per cent, while Atlantic Canada employers also anticipate a prosperous hiring climate with a Net Employment Outlook of 31 per cent. Employers in Ontario expect an active hiring climate with a Net Employment Outlook of 24 per cent. Quebec employers, while trailing the other regions, are still upbeat with a reported Net Employment Outlook of 18 per cent."

Of the 10 surveyed industry sectors, Mining employers report the most brisk results for the April to June period of 2006 with a Net Employment Outlook of 31 per cent, once seasonal variations are removed. Employers in the Public Administration sector anticipate a healthy quarter with a Net Employment Outlook of 29 per cent. The Finance, Insurance & Real Estate and Wholesale & Retail Trade sectors also expect a solid hiring climate both with reported Net Employment Outlooks of 26 per cent.

Construction

Employers in the Construction sector expect a respectable hiring pace with a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of 18 per cent. This is an increase from the previous quarter, when the Net Employment Outlook was 17 per cent and four percentage points weaker compared to this time last year.

Education

Education sector employers predict a strong quarter with a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of 23 per cent. This is a 17 per cent improvement from the previous quarter when the Net Employment Outlook was six per cent. It is also an increase of ten per cent compared to the same period last year and the strongest Net Employment Outlook for the sector since the third quarter of 2003 when it was 31 per cent.

Finance, Insurance & Real Estate

Employers in the Finance, Insurance & Real Estate sector project a solid hiring climate with a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of 26 per cent. This Net Employment Outlook is a nine per cent increase from the previous quarter, and the strongest Net Employment Outlook for the sector since the fourth quarter of 2000 when it was 28 per cent.

Manufacturing - Durable Goods

A moderate three-month period is anticipated by employers in the Manufacturing - Durable Goods sector, where a Net Employment Outlook of 12 per cent is reported once seasonal variations are removed. This Net Employment Outlook is a five per cent increase from the previous quarter, but is a decrease from the same time last year when the Net Employment Outlook was 15 per cent.

Manufacturing - Non-durable Goods

Manufacturing - Non-durable Goods sector employers project a modest hiring climate with a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of 10 per cent. This is a decrease of three per cent from the previous quarter and a two per cent increase to the Net Employment Outlook reported this time last year.

Mining

Employers in the Mining sector anticipate a brisk second quarter with a Net Employment Outlook of 31 per cent after seasonal variations are removed. Hiring plans in Mining fell by 15 per cent from the previous quarter, but this is an increase compared to the same time last year when the Net Employment Outlook was 20 per cent.

Public Administration

Public Administration sector employers predict an active hiring climate with a Net Employment Outlook of 29 per cent. Hiring expectations increased by six per cent from the previous quarter and from one year ago, when the Net Employment Outlook was 23 per cent.

Services

Employers in the Services sector expect an active hiring climate for the upcoming quarter with a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of 23 per cent. This is a decrease of four per cent from the previous quarter when the Net Employment Outlook was 27 per cent and an increase of two per cent from the same time last year.

Transportation & Public Utilities

Employers in the Transportation & Public Utilities sector predict a strong outlook with a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of 22 per cent. This is a five per cent increase from the previous quarter when the Net Employment Outlook was 17 per cent as well as a five per cent increase when compared to the same time last year. This is the strongest forecast for the sector since the first quarter of 2001.

Wholesale & Retail Trades

Employers in the Wholesale & Retail Trade sector project a healthy staffing picture for the second quarter of 2006 with a Net Employment Outlook of 26 per cent. Results for the sector improved from last quarter by eight percentage points and also increased seven percentage points compared to this time last year.

About the Survey

The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey is conducted quarterly to measure employers' intentions to increase or decrease the number of employees in their workforce during the next quarter. The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey is the most extensive, forward-looking survey in the world, asking employers to forecast employment over the next quarter. The survey has been running for more than 40 years and is one of the most trusted surveys of employment activity in the world. The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey in Canada is based on interviews with more than 1,700 public and private employers in 43 markets across the country and is considered a highly respected economic indicator. The margin of error for the Canadian survey is +/- 2.4 per cent.

About Manpower Inc.

Manpower Inc. (NYSE: MAN) is a world leader in the employment services industry; creating and delivering services that enable its clients to win in the changing world of work. The $16 billion company offers employers a range of services for the entire employment and business cycle including permanent, temporary and contract recruitment; employee assessment and selection; training; outplacement; outsourcing and consulting. Manpower's worldwide network of 4,400 offices in 72 countries and territories enables the company to meet the needs of its 400,000 clients per year, including small and medium size enterprises in all industry sectors, as well as the world's largest multinational corporations. The focus of Manpower's work is on raising productivity through improved quality, efficiency and cost-reduction across their total workforce, enabling clients to concentrate on their core business activities. Manpower Inc. operates under five brands: Manpower, Manpower Professional, Elan, Jefferson Wells and Right Management. More information on Manpower Inc. is available at www.manpower.com.

Celebrating 50 years, Manpower Canada's employment services delivered through its network of over 50 offices, include administrative, industrial, skilled trades and contact centre personnel as well as the assignment of contract professionals in information technology, scientific, finance, engineering, telecommunications and other professional areas under the Manpower Professional brand. More information on the company can be found on Manpower Canada's Web sites, manpower.ca and manpowerprofessional.ca.

SOURCE: Manpower Inc.

John Settino, The iPR Group, (416) 901-5963, john@theiprgroup.ca

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