Legal, manufacturing, finance strongest sectors: Survey
Fifteen per cent of Canadian executives plan to add more full-time employees in professional occupations during the third quarter of 2011, while one per cent foresee declines, according to a survey by Robert Half. The resulting net 14 per cent planning staff additions is up one point from the second-quarter forecast, found the Robert Half Professional Employment Report.
"Although some firms remain conservative in their hiring outlook, augmenting staff levels for others is becoming necessary when trying to meet added consumer demand," said Kathryn Bolt, district president of Robert Half Canada. "Increased business activity and economic factors are stimulating hiring in many industries, such as manufacturing, banking and real estate."
A net nine per cent of executives in human resources anticipate staff additions in the third quarter, found the survey of more than 1,000 respondents.
The strongest growth is expected in the legal sector, as a net 49 per cent of executives plan to increase staffing levels. A net 28 per cent of executives in the manufacturing sector and net 27 per cent of executives in the finance, insurance and real estate industry anticipate staff additions, found Robert Half. The marketing (net 21 per cent) and sales fields (net 23 per cent) are also expected to see strong hiring activity.
Other growth sectors include information technology (net 14 per cent) and accounting and finance (net eight per cent), found the survey.
Seventy-nine per cent of executives are at least somewhat confident in their organization’s ability to grow in the third quarter, found Robert Half. But 48 per cent of respondents said it is at least somewhat challenging to find skilled professionals today, up one point from the second quarter survey.
