TORONTO, Sep. 12, 2006 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX News Network) -- Canadian employers expect a positive hiring climate for the October to December period of 2006 according to the latest results of the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey, the most extensive, forward-looking employment survey in the world. Fourth-quarter job prospects are expected to be strongest in the Construction sector, where employers are reporting record optimism.

The survey of more than 1,700 Canadian employers reveals that 26 per cent plan to increase their payrolls while eight per cent anticipate cutbacks for a Net Employment Outlook of +18 per cent. Of those polled, 63 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 two percentage point improvement from the previous quarter, indicating hiring intentions should continue to be optimistic for the final quarter of 2006.

"This quarter's Net Employment Outlook indicates that the solid hiring activity seen in the third quarter will continue," said Lori Rogers, VP Operations for Manpower Canada. "The good news for job seekers is that employers are telling us that over the next three months they will continue to add to their payrolls at a slightly better rate as in the preceding period."

"The hiring climate in Western Canada and Atlantic Canada is ahead of the national forecast," Rogers adds. "Employers in Western Canada report an optimistic hiring climate with a Net Employment Outlook of 28 per cent, as do Atlantic Canada employers at 21 per cent. Ontario employers expect a respectable hiring climate with a Net Employment Outlook of 15 per cent. Quebec employers report weaker hiring intentions, but are still hopeful, with a reported Net Employment Outlook of 11 per cent."

Of the 10 surveyed industry sectors, Education employers report the most prosperous results for the October to December period of 2006 with a Net Employment Outlook of 35 per cent. Employers in the Wholesale & Retail Trade sector also anticipate a bright quarter with a Net Employment Outlook of 30 per cent. Employers in the Construction and Finance, Insurance & Real Estate sectors anticipate a solid fourth quarter to 2006, as the Net Employment Outlook for both sectors is 20 per cent. Employers in the Transportation & Public Utilities sector expect a positive quarter for the final quarter of 2006 with a Net Employment Outlook of 18 per cent. While the Mining, Public Administration and Services sector employers also anticipate an upbeat fourth quarter to 2006 with Net Employment Outlooks of 16, 15 and 14 per cent, respectively. The Manufacturing - Durable Goods and Manufacturing - Non-Durable Goods sector employers predict a more modest hiring forecast with Net Employment Outlooks of seven and six per cent, respectively.

Construction

Employers in the Construction sector expect a brisk hiring pace with a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of 38 per cent. This is a 22 percentage point improvement from the previous quarter, and an eight percentage point improvement compared to this time last year. This is the most optimistic Net Employment Outlook for the sector in the history of the survey.

Education

Education sector employers predict an active quarter with a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of 27 per cent. This is a six percentage point increase from the previous quarter. It is also a 14 percentage point improvement compared to the same period last year. This is the most optimistic forecast for the sector since the third quarter of 2003.

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 24 per cent. This Net Employment Outlook is a three percentage point improvement from the previous quarter and a 10 percentage point improvement from the same time last year.

Manufacturing - Durable Goods

A favourable 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 two percentage points weaker than both the previous quarter and last year when the Net Employment Outlook was 14 per cent.

Manufacturing - Non-durable Goods

Manufacturing - Non-durable Goods sector employers project a hopeful hiring climate with a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of 13 per cent. This is an increase of four percentage points from the previous quarter; however, it is a decrease of five percentage points from the Net Employment Outlook reported this time last year.

Mining

Employers in the Mining sector anticipate a healthy fourth quarter with a Net Employment Outlook of 20 per cent after seasonal variations are removed. Hiring plans in Mining are seven percentage points weaker from the previous quarter. This is the least optimistic Net Employment Outlook in the sector since the second quarter of 2005.

Public Administration

Public Administration sector employers predict an active hiring climate with a Net Employment Outlook of 27 per cent. Hiring expectations look promising compared to last quarter with a five percentage point improvement. This is also a slight two percentage point improvement compared to the same time last year.

Services

Employers in the Services sector expect a solid hiring climate for the upcoming quarter with a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of 24 per cent. This is equal to the Net Employment Outlook last quarter and a slight improvement from the same time last year when the Net Employment Outlook was 23 per cent.

Transportation & Public Utilities

Employers in the Transportation & Public Utilities sector predict a strong outlook with a seasonally adjusted Net Employment Outlook of 23 per cent. This is a slight improvement from the third quarter when the Net Employment Outlook was 20 per cent as well as a seven percentage point increase when compared to the same time last year. This is also the most optimistic outlook for this sector since the first quarter of 2001.

Wholesale & Retail Trades

Employers in the Wholesale & Retail Trade sector project a healthy staffing picture for the fourth quarter of 2006 with a Net Employment Outlook of 23 per cent. Results for the sector are comparable to both the third quarter and 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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