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Richmond to see ‘hopeful’ hiring climate in new year: report

Despite a somewhat slower hiring pace, a work-placement company is forecasting a “job-seekers market.
office work
Richmond can expect a "moderate hiring climate" over the next few months. Photo: Pixabay

Despite a somewhat slower hiring pace, a work-placement company is forecasting a “job-seekers market.”

According to a survey by ManpowerGroup, nine per cent of Richmond-Delta employers are looking to hire new employees in the first few months of 2020.

The other 91 per cent of Richmond-Delta employers surveyed by ManpowerGroup plan to keep their current staffing levels.

ManpowerGroup surveyed more than 1,900 employers across Canada to determine the country’s hiring outlook over the next three months.

While the Richmond-Delta results are an eight-per-cent decrease from the same period last year, it’s a 10-per-cent increase from the previous quarter in 2019, “indicating a moderate hiring pace for the upcoming months,” according to the report.

This hiring pace will be seen across the country, according to the report, with 12 per cent of employers nationwide planning to increase their staffing levels.

The rest of employers surveyed said they expect cutbacks, will maintain their current staffing levels or are unsure.

“At the beginning of 2020, prospects for Canadian job seekers — while still positive — are tightening,” said Darlene Minatel, country manager for ManpowerGroup Canada in a press release.

“Despite the slight decline in the national employment outlook, unemployment remains low in Canada and wages continue to rise. Clearly, it’s a job-seekers market.”

According to the report, employers are also dealing with a widening skills gap and are “hard-pressed” to find bilingual employees or employees skilled in trades, and it would be good for job seekers to seek training in those areas.