Good news for Canadians. As much as 13 per cent of the nation’s companies are planning to add jobs in the first quarter of 2014, according to the international staffing company Manpower Group.
The Employment Outlook Survey of over 1,900 employers across Canada also reveals that eight per cent of respondents foresee scaling back on their staff. At the same time, 78 per cent of companies expect to maintain their current workforce.
"Overall, a respectable national hiring climate is projected in the coming quarter", said Byrne Luft, vice-president of operations for Manpower Canada.
The highest employment growth is expected in Western Canada, with “employers in the construction industry anticipating the strongest payroll gains”, adds Luft.
The survey found that jobs in the construction sector will increase by as much as 16 per cent, while retail and manufacturing firms plan to add 14 per cent more staff in 2014’s first quarter.
Other industries with projected positive hiring climates are education, which forecasts a 13 per cent increase, followed by insurance, finance and real estate, each estimated to grow their staff by 12 per cent.
Meanwhile, the service, mining, transportation and public sectors see few opportunities for growth between the months of January and March.
Employment opportunities in other Canadian regions are more modest. Companies in Ontario and the Atlantic provinces expect a moderate 8 per cent increase in staffing.
Employers in Quebec are the least optimistic about job creation in early 2014. Only one per cent of companies surveyed are expecting to add to their payroll.
The current unemployment rate stands at 7.2 % nationally.