If you thought the hiring struggles were going to end in 2019, think again. According to a new hiring outlook, hiring intentions are at a 12-year high and are expected to remain steady throughout 2019.
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The competition for skilled talent is set to rise in the first quarter of 2019 as employers across the U.S. are reporting the strongest hiring intentions in 12 years, according to the latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey. More than 12,500 U.S. employers report double-digit outlooks across all four regions indicating continued employer optimism.
All 13 industry sectors forecast optimistic hiring plans with the strongest hiring outlook in transportation and utilities as consumer expectations for on-demand delivery grows. Hiring intentions remain robust in leisure and hospitality (+27%) with more Americans spending on travel and tourism indicative of strong consumer confidence in a healthy economy. Professional and business services have the third strongest outlook (+25%), driving the need for a breadth of workers from insurance to information technology (IT).
Hooking Talent with Salary, Benefits, and Training Opportunities
“Increased employer optimism tells us employers have jobs to fill, yet we know they are struggling to find the talent they need from production line workers to IT professionals,” says Becky Frankiewicz, President of ManpowerGroup North America—in a press release. “With so many U.S. organizations set to hire in an already tight labor market, skilled workers can call the shots.”
How can we lure in fresh talent to help meet the demand? “For some workers benefits including childcare facilities, free transportation, or the offer of certification and career progression are key,” says Frankiewicz. “We’ve seen large organizations increase wages and add new perks and benefits like unlimited paid-time-off to compete for talent.” Frankiewicz also adds that unless you’re investing in training initiatives to keep works up-to-date on skills, a higher salary isn’t going to keep workers around for long.
Hiring Outlook by Region
The South has the highest regional outlook (+21%) as manufacturing continues to grow with a +22% outlook in nondurable goods manufacturing, the highest since 2005.
Hiring prospects in the Northeast (+20%) are the strongest in more than 12 years driven in part by an uptick in wholesale and retail trade (+24%) and durable goods manufacturing (21%).
Employers in the West (+20%) and Midwest (+20%) report sustained hiring momentum in Q1 2019.
Hiring Plans by Metro Areas/States and Industries
Nationwide, employers in all 13 industry sectors expect to add staff in Q1 2019. The strongest outlooks are reported in:
- Transportation and utilities (+28%);
- Leisure and hospitality (+27%);
- Professional and business services (+25%);
- Mining (+24%);
- Wholesale and retail trade (+24%);
- Construction (+23%);
- Nondurable goods manufacturing (+20%); and
- Durable goods manufacturing (+19%).
Employers in Delaware (+30%), Idaho (+28%), Hawaii (+27%), New Hampshire (+27%), and Florida (+26%) report the strongest outlooks. Of the 100 largest metropolitan statistical areas, the strongest job prospects are expected in Daytona Beach, Florida (+37%); Cape Coral, Florida (+32%); Tampa, Florida (+31%); Jacksonville, Florida (+29%); and Raleigh, North Carolina (+29%).