Despite
an uncertain economic outlook, Britain’s employers still plan to take on more
staff in the next quarter, according to new research.
Recruitment
company Manpower’s Quarterly Survey of Employment Prospects, shows that UK
employment prospects have reached a 10-year high for quarter one – and are
finally back to pre-September 11 levels.
The
Manpower survey asked more than 2,000 UK companies if they expect an increase,
decrease or no change in their staffing levels for the quarter ahead. The
survey shows that 12 per cent of UK employers will be increasing staffing
levels in the period January-March 2003, up 11 points from a year ago, with
every one of the 21 sectors and 11 regions surveyed predicting new jobs.
Hazel
Detsiny, Manpower board director, said: "Confidence is strong despite the
uncertain economic climate. Although we have had a challenging year, the
numbers of staff out working are up over the last couple of months and demand
for temporary and permanent staff in the first quarter is strong."
The
best employment prospects are in the public sector, which has seen the greatest
year-on-year increase since the survey began 37 years ago.
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