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The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey for quarter 1/2012 shows ongoing strength of hiring intentions in mining and construction sector, and WA employers forecast strong job growth in Quarter 1 2012...

15 December 2011

The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey for the first quarter 2012 shows that Australian employers anticipate an upbeat hiring pace in the first Quarter in 2012. With 23% of employers predicting an increase in headcount, 10% expecting a decrease and 65% forecasting no change, the resulting Net Employment Outlook stands at +13%. Quarter-over-quarter, employers report a slight decline of three percentage points in the Outlook, and hiring plans weaken by eight percentage points when compared with Quarter 1, 2011.

Employers in all seven regions where seasonally adjusted data is available report positive hiring intentions for Quarter 1 2012. The most optimistic hiring prospects are reported in Western Australia, where the Net Employment Outlook stands at +23%. Quarter-over-quarter, employers in four regions report weaker labour markets. The South Australia Outlook declines by six percentage points, and Outlook declines of five and four percentage points are reported by employers in Western Australia and Queensland, respectively.

The strongest labour markets are forecast in Western Australia and New South Wales. With a Net Employment Outlook of +23%, Western Australia employers forecast strong job growth in Quarter 1 2012. Nevertheless, the Outlook is the weakest since Quarter 4 2009. Hiring intentions decline by five percentage points quarter-over-quarter, and the Outlook is four percentage points weaker year-over-year. Based on unadjusted survey data, employers anticipate a healthy hiring pace in the coming quarter. However, hiring plans are moderately weaker quarter-over-quarter and the Outlook declines slightly year-over-year.

Employers in all seven industry sectors expect to increase employment levels during Quarter 1 2012. A steady hiring pace is anticipated in the Mining & Construction sector, with an Outlook of +19%. Upbeat hiring plans are also evident in the Transportation & Utilities sector, where the Outlook is +11%. Quarter-over-quarter, employers report Outlook declines in five of the seven industry sectors. The Outlook for the Transportation & Utilities sector declines by nine percentage points. Meanwhile, hiring intentions strengthen slightly in the Mining & Construction sector, with the Outlook improving by two percentage points.

Based on unadjusted survey data, employers predict workforce gains in all seven industry sectors in the coming quarter. The most positive hiring prospects are reported in the Mining & Construction sector, with job seekers likely to benefit from a favourable hiring climate in Quarter 1 2012, according to employers, who report a Net Employment Outlook of +19%. Quarter-over-quarter, the Outlook improves by two percentage points, but hiring plans weaken by five percentage points year-over-year. Based on unadjusted survey data, employers anticipate a respectable hiring pace in Quarter 1 2012. The Outlook is slightly stronger quarter-over-quarter, but slightly weaker year-over-year.

Employers forecast a steady hiring pace in the Transportation and Utilities sectors in Quarter 1 2012, reporting a Net Employment Outlook of +11%, although this is the weakest prediction since Quarter 4 2009. The Outlook declines by nine percentage points when compared with the previous quarter, and is 12 percentage points weaker year-over-year. Based on unadjusted survey data, employers predict positive workforce gains in Quarter 1 2012. Quarter-over-quarter, the Outlook is moderately weaker, and it declines considerably year-over-year.

Excerpt from: Manpower Employment Outlook Survey Australia (www.manpower.com.au), first quarter 2012.