CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – Just three per cent of employers in Charlottetown plan to hire in early 2018, while 20 per cent anticipate cutbacks, according to a survey from ManpowerGroup Employment.
Another 77 per cent of employers plan to maintain their current staffing levels between January and March, the hiring climate outlook found.
With seasonal variations removed from the data, Charlottetown’s first quarter net employment outlook of minus 7 per cent is a 13 percentage point decrease when compared to the previous quarterly outlook. It’s also a decrease of 20 percentage points compared with the outlook reported during the same time last year.
“While the Canadian economy is expected to do well overall in 2018, businesses are adopting a cautious approach,” said Darlene Minatel of Manpower Canada Operations. “Many companies are waiting to see the impact of higher interest rates and proposed minimum wage increases in some provinces. Bright spots remain, however, especially in Quebec, Ontario and Alberta.”
Across the country, Canadian employers expect a hopeful hiring climate for job seekers in the first quarter of 2018, with employers in the transportation and public utilities sector reporting the strongest job prospects.
With seasonal variations removed from the national data, the net employment outlook of 11 per cent is a one percentage point increase compared to both the previous quarter and the outlook reported during the same time last year.
The survey of more than 1,900 employers across Canada reveals that 16 per cent plan to increase their staffing levels in the first quarter of 2018, while eight per cent anticipate cutbacks.
Of the employers surveyed, 74 per cent expect their current staffing levels to remain unchanged and two per cent are unsure about their hiring intentions for the upcoming quarter.
For more, visit www.manpowergroup.com and enter the Research Center.
