Utah moving forward in creating new jobs

Utah employers say they plan to keep adding workers through the fourth quarter of the year, but not at the pace of previous quarters, according to a survey released today by Manpower Inc.

"We're still moving forward, which is a good thing," said Robert Katz, spokesman for Manpower Inc. in Utah. "Our predictions for the third quarter were a little higher. But Utah is doing well at creating new jobs."

From October to December, Manpower said that 27 percent of Utah survey respondents reported they plan to hire more employees, while 13 percent said they expect to reduce their payrolls. Another 60 percent expect to maintain their current staff levels.

In Salt Lake City, 27 percent of employers surveyed said they planned to hire additional workers during the fourth quarter. Sixty percent said they expected to maintain current levels, while 13 percent expected to make cutbacks, according to the survey.

In Orem, 27 percent of respondents said they expected to add workers, while 63 percent expected to make no changes.

While the pace of anticipated growth in the fourth quarter is slower than previous quarters, Katz said he's encouraged by current conditions — despite the effects of Hurricane Katrina, escalating oil prices and the ongoing conflict in Iraq.

"It's hard to tell what (Katrina) is going to do to overall economic conditions," Katz said. "It is affecting oil and gas prices, which will affect the economy going forward negatively throughout the United States. Although we do see some increases and some job growth in Utah looking at alternative fuels.

"If the economy takes a downturn, Utah usually follows suit. Although, everything seems to be so positive right now. As an organization, we're having a very difficult time meeting the needs of our customers right now. Demand is outstripping supply at this time, and a lot of companies are adding on and increasing staff."

In addition to the usual pool of job-seekers, Katz said 16 evacuees at Camp Williams have found temporary employment through Manpower in Utah.

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