ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, November 26, 1996 TAG: 9611260067
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MEGAN SCHNABEL STAFF WRITER
The first three months of 1997 will be promising ones for Roanoke-area job seekers, according to a survey released Monday by Manpower Inc.
The survey, which polls public and private employers about their hiring and firing plans, reports that 29 percent of the companies interviewed in the Roanoke area will be adding workers during the three-month period ending March 31. Another 6 percent plan to cut their staffs. The rest predicted no change in staffing levels.
Nationally, 21 percent of employers said they plan to hire during the first three months of the year, while 11 percent anticipate reductions.
Most job opportunities will be in transportation and public utilities, wholesale and retail trade, and service, according to the survey. The survey is conducted every quarter by the Milwaukee, Wis.-based temporary employment company. Nationwide, 16,000 employers in 487 cities were surveyed. Manpower would not disclose how many were in Western Virginia.
Ann Ward, district manager of the Roanoke Manpower office, said the near-30 percent anticipated hiring level came as a surprise, because many businesses typically cut their staffs after the Christmas rush.
Last year at this time, just 10 percent of the Roanoke-area survey respondents said they planned to hire more workers, and 13 percent planned to cut staff.
But the area's low unemployment has meant more employers are having to search harder for workers, she said. Even Manpower's roster of temporary workers has been depleted, she said.
"It's been a very tough year for us because we've had a hard time finding people," Ward said. "We've stood on our heads, almost."
LENGTH: Short : 39 lines KEYWORDS: JOBCHEKby CNB