Tacoma area employers expect to hire at a brisk pace during the second quarter of 2004, according to the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.

From April to June, 30 percent of companies interviewed planned to hire more employees, while none intended to reduce their workforce, according to Manpower spokesperson Helena Kabush. Another 70 percent expect to maintain their current staff levels.

“The Tacoma area employment outlook is much brighter than the first quarter forecast when 10 percent of companies interviewed predicted an increase in hiring activity, while 13 percent planned to decrease the hiring pace,” Kabush said. “Job market projections are healthier than last year at this time when 3 percent of companies surveyed thought employment increases were likely and 7 percent intended to cut back.”

For the coming quarter, job prospects appear best in construction, durable and non-durable goods manufacturing, wholesale/retail trade, services and public administration. Hiring in the transportation/public utilities, finance/insurance/real estate and education sectors is expected to remain unchanged.

The Manpower Outlook Survey is conducted quarterly to measure employers’ intentions to increase or decrease the number of employees in their workforce during the next quarter.