53 % expect job market to stay the same, 38 % see it trending up, only 9 % expect it to trend down
Express Experts See Strong Job Market in Local Communities
TORONTO, Dec. 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As 2018 comes to a close, businesses are reporting a positive outlook for the job market in the first quarter of 2019, according to a new survey fielded by Express Employment Professionals. This is in line with the latest jobs report showing the lowest unemployment rate in over 40 years.
In the survey of 445 businesses, 53 percent of respondents expect the job market to stay the same in the first quarter, 38 percent see it trending up, and only 9 percent of it trending down.
A year ago, businesses predicted a similar outlook for the first quarter of 2018, with 49 percent saying the job market would stay the same, 42 percent saying it would trend up and 9 percent saying it would trend down.
“Business sentiments will continue to be positive in 2019 which will translate into more hiring in the new year,” says Hanif Hemani, an Express franchise owner in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. “We are seeing employment needs across all sectors.”
Michael Elliott, an Express franchise owner in London, Ontario, predicts that employers in the area will do the same level of hiring in early 2019. “Most manufacturers have a lot of confidence due to steady orders, so we expect to see the strong hiring that took place in 2018 to continue into the new year.”
Elliott reports that job shortages will continue to be a problem in the new year.
“There is a shortage of job seekers since unemployment rates are so low and this challenge is expected to continue into 2019,” says Elliott. “Passive job seekers may be the biggest benefactor of rising wages due to the higher demand for reliable workers.”
The survey results also revealed what professions can expect to see hiring in the first quarter of 2019. While Hemani notes that hiring is expected across all sectors, including professional roles such as accounting and sales, both Hemani and Elliott agree that general labour and skilled trades workers will be the most in demand, which is confirmed by the survey results.
Elliott points out that, while the economic outlook is positive, there are some concerns: “Companies are breathing a collective sigh of relief now that there is agreement on free trade terms between Canada, the U.S., and Mexico, but prolonged punitive tariffs levied by the U.S. would have a negative impact on many regions of the country, including ours.”
“If you’re looking for a job at the start of the new year, you will be in a strong position,” said Bill Stoller, the CEO of Express. “It’s clear that employers are hiring, and if you have the skills—or are willing to acquire the skills—the odds are in your favor.”
The survey of 445 businesses, which are current and former clients of Express Employment Professionals, was conducted in December 2018 to gauge respondents' expectations for the first quarter of 2019.
If you would like to arrange for an interview to discuss this topic, please contact Ana Curic at (613) 858-2622 or email ana@mapleleafstrategies.com.
About Bill Stoller
William H. "Bill" Stoller is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment Professionals. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the international staffing company has more than 800 franchises in the U.S., Canada and South Africa. Since its inception, Express has put more than 6 million people to work worldwide.
About Express Employment Professionals
Express Employment Professionals puts people to work. It generated $3.4 billion in sales and employed a record 540,000 people in 2017. Its long-term goal is to put a million people to work annually. For more information, visit ExpressPros.com.
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