‘Transportation & Utilities’ sector regarded as the most optimistic in the country
Hiring intentions in the ‘Transportation & Utilities’ sector are the most robust in the country and the strongest in more than seven years, recruitment specialist ManpowerGroup says.
This outlook is revealed in the latest results from the ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey, which collects data from over 59,000 employers in 43 countries, including more than 1,500 in Australia.
The sector has reported a net employment outlook (NEO) of +23 per cent for the final three months of 2018.
This is nearly double the same time last year (+13 per cent) and the strongest outlook recorded since fourth quarter of calendar 2011, the survey report says.
The NEO is calculated by subtracting the percentage of employers anticipating a decrease in hiring activity from the percentage of employers anticipating an increase in employment. Seasonal adjustment is then applied to the data.
Read how the outlook for transport industry recruitment was looking last year, here
“The latest analysis reveals the sector has the most optimistic employment Outlook in the country and is nearly three times as strong as the weakest sector for 4Q18 (Wholesale & Retail Trade),” ManpowerGroup states.
On a comparative basis, hiring prospects improve in six of the seven industry sectors in comparison with the previous quarter.
“Considerable increases of 12 percentage points are reported in both the Finance, Insurance & Real Estate sector and the Transportation & Utilities sector, while the Outlook for the Mining & Construction sector is 10 percentage points stronger,” the report says.
“Elsewhere, Services sector employers report no change and the Manufacturing sector Outlook is relatively stable.
“Employers also report stronger hiring plans in six of the seven industry sectors when compared with this time one year ago.
“Notable increases of 11 and 10 percentage points are reported for the Finance, Insurance & Real Estate sector and the Transportation & Utilities sector, respectively, while Mining & Construction sector employers report an improvement of eight percentage points.
“Meanwhile, Services sector employers report relatively stable hiring plans.”