Survey finds more firms plan to hire

There are more companies planning to hire than fire in the Augusta metro area, according to a quarterly survey from a national staffing firm.

Results of the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey for the first three months of 2010 show 15 percent of interviewed companies plan to hire more employees, 11 percent expect to reduce their payrolls and 71 percent will maintain current staff levels.

Sentiment in the first quarter 2009 outlook was 13 percent hiring and 13 percent firing.

Augusta's outlook is better than the nation's. Of the more than 28,000 employers nationwide surveyed by Manpower Inc., 12 percent anticipate an increase in staff levels and 12 percent expect a decrease.

For the coming quarter, job prospects locally appear best in construction, nondurable-goods manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, financial activities, professional and business services and hospitality.

Employers in durable-goods manufacturing, transportation and utilities, education and health services, and government plan to reduce staffing levels.

Manpower, based in Milwaukee, has a network of 4,400 offices in 73 countries and territories. It has an office in Augusta.

Reach Tim Rausch at (706) 823-3352 or timothy.rausch@augustachronicle.com.