Wisconsin’s Hiring Forecast Strong, Though Most Employers Won’t Add Workers

A three-month hiring forecast by the Milwaukee-based Manpower Group predicts that while Wisconsin will have a strong job market, most employers don’t plan to add workers.

Manpower says its latest hiring survey shows 26 percent of Wisconsin employers expect to add workers during the next three months, and just 5 percent predict layoffs. That net hiring forecast of 21 percent is one of the best of any state, and exceeds the national figure also being released Tuesday.

The Manpower study shows two-thirds of Wisconsin employers plan no change in staffing. Manpower’s Chris Layden said most firms are waiting for more demand for their goods and services, before they add workers.

“Until they see that consistent demand, we’re going to continue to see an increase in the trend, but not robust hiring across the board,” said Layden.

Layden says both in Wisconsin and nationally, engineers for jobs in area like construction, manufacturing and transportation are in high demand.

The Manpower forecast says government jobs in Wisconsin are not expected to grow during the upcoming quarter.