Jobs Outlook Cools For Raleigh, But Many Companies in Durham, Fayetteville Plan To Hire

Only 3 percent of companies surveyed plan to expand their payrolls in the fourth quarter, Manpower reported Tuesday.

However, the survey also found that none expects to reduce headcount.

"Raleigh area employers have slightly softer hiring intentions than in the third quarter when 7 percent of the companies interviewed intended to add staff, and none planned to reduce headcount," said Manpower spokesman Jeff Stocks in Raleigh. "Employers have more modest hiring intentions than they did a year ago, when 27 percent of companies surveyed thought employment increases were likely and 10 percent intended to cut back."

Those seeking jobs are likely to have their best chances in finance, insurance and real estate, Manpower reported.

North Carolina's unemployment rate in July stood at 4.8 percent.

In Durham, the job outlook is brighter, with 17 percent of companies surveyed planning to add jobs. The forecast in Fayetteville is stronger as well, with 27 percent of surveyed firms looking to expand. Overall, 18 percent of North Carolina firms plan to add workers.

Nationally, the employment outlook appears to be stronger.

Twenty-eight percent of firms surveyed said they expected to hire workers in the last quarter. Some 8 percent plan to reduce payrolls, Manpower reported. About 14,000 employers participated in the survey.

Across North Carolina, hiring prospects appear to be best in Charlotte, Greenville, Asheville and High Point.

Many companies in South Carolina and Georgia are also planning to expand payrolls.

North Carolina

The net percent of companies surveyed that plan to add workers in the fourth quarter by metro or county area:

Asheville, 30 percent

Catawba County Area, 20 percent

Charlotte, 33 percent

Cleveland and Gaston counties, -3 percent

Durham, 17 percent

Fayetteville, 27 percent

Greensboro, 3 percent

Greenville, 34 percent

High Point, 30 percent

Raleigh, 3 percent

Rocky Mount, 26 percent

Wilmington, 6 percent

Winston-Salem, 13 percent

Georgia

In Atlanta, 25 percent of surveyed firms are looking to add workers, while only 2 percent anticipate cutting back.

"In the Atlanta area, hiring intentions are similar to those reported in the third quarter, when 22% of the companies interviewed intended to add staff, and none planned to reduce headcount," said Manpower spokesperson Beth Herman. "Employers have more positive hiring intentions than they did a year ago, when 27% of companies surveyed thought employment increases were likely and 10% intended to cut back."

Job prospects are brightest in construction, durable and non-durable goods manufacturing, transportation and public utilities, wholesale and retail trade, finance, insurance and real estate services.

Statewide in Georgia, a net 20 percent of companies participating in the survey expect to add headcount.

By region, net increases in hiring plans are:

Albany, 10 percent

Athens, 20 percent

Atlanta, 23 percent

Augusta, 0 percent

Columbus, 17 percent

Macon, 23 percent

Savannah, 43 percent

South Carolina

In Columbia, hiring is the word as 47 percent of companies surveyed plan to hire workers and only 3 percent are cutting back.

"Columbia area employers have stronger hiring intentions than in the third quarter, when 43 percent of the companies interviewed intended to add staff, and 7 percent planned to reduce headcount," said Hunter. "Employers have much more positive hiring intentions than they did a year ago, when 17 percent of companies surveyed thought employment increases were likely and 3 percent intended to cut back."

Job opportunities are likely to be best in construction, durable and non-durable goods manufacturing, transportation and public utilities, wholesale and retail trade, finance, insurance and real estate services and public administration.

Statewide, a net 28 percent of companies surveyed will likely add workers.

By area, the net percentage of firms surveyed planning to add workers:

Aiken, 10 percent

Anderson, 48 percent

Columbia, 44 percent

Florence, 27 percent

Greenville, 33 percent

Greenwood, 37 percent

Hartsville, 23 percent

Laurens County, 23 percent

Myrtle Beach, 34 percent

Spartanburg, 3 percent

For additional details, see:

www.manpower.com