2012 could start with an active job market

The job market in Northeast Iowa and throughout the state seems to be improving.  That's the conclusion of the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey for the first three months of 2012 in Iowa.

Manpower says 18 percent of the companies it contacted said they plan to hire more employees.  Seven percent of the companies contacted said they plan to reduce their payrolls, meaning there is a net employmet increase of 11 percent.

Manpower spokesperson Sunny Ackerman commented, "Comared to one year ago with the Net Employment Outlook was 6 percent, employers are more confident about their staffing plans."

Job prospects appear best in manufacturing, as well as in transportation, retail, professional, hospitality and government.