Positive employment outlook for public sector

Employers in the public sector are positive in their hiring intentions for the remainder of 2004, according to Manpower, the UKís leading workforce management company.

The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey shows that the balance of employers looking to take on more staff in the public sector is 17% compared to a UK average of 18%. This represents a quarter-on-quarter increase of four percentage points and a year-on-year increase of three percentage points.

Emma Barnes, Manpower Group Business Manager, comments: Across the public sector, departments have become increasingly cost conscious and now only look to recruit if there is a real need. The good news is that hiring is still taking place, although this is something of a mixed picture with many government departments only taking on temporary staff rather than offering permanent placements.

The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey provides a forecast of employer hiring intentions for the quarter ahead: October to December 2004. 2,500 UK employers were surveyed in the UK and over 35,000 employers in 19 countries globally.

Emma continues, Although Gordon Brown claimed this summer that he could eliminate 100,000 civil service posts, the market continues to be buoyant. The public sector offers great career opportunities, training and support. We anticipate that many people will still be attracted to such a career. There is also good news for employers within the public sector as we are seeing many candidates of a high calibre.

Across the UK, eight of the nine industry sectors surveyed by Manpower are planning to take on staff next quarter. Employers in Transport and Communications; Finance and Business Services; and Manufacturing, all reported figures above the national average. The Agriculture sector is the only sector to expect cutbacks with an outlook of -8% - a decline of nine percentage points over the last quarter and a year-on-year decrease of four percentage points.