NYSACRA

Thirty-three percent of Ulster County firms, compared with 7 percent of those surveyed in Dutchess County, intend to add employees between April and June.

In Ulster County, new employment opportunities are anticipated in wholesale and retail trade, finance, insurance, real estate, services and public administration, according to Jim Challen, a spokesman for Manpower. Other sectors are expected to hold steady, he said.

New employment opportunities in Dutchess County are anticipated in services and public administration, but non-durable goods manufacturers envision cutbacks. Other sectors are expected to remain unchanged, according to Challen.

Sixty percent of Ulster County firms and 87 percent of those polled in Dutchess County planned to maintain current staffing levels.

Staff cuts are planned by 3 percent of those surveyed in Dutchess County and no participating firms in Ulster County.

Challen said prospects were brighter for the same quarter last year, when 20 percent of Dutchess County firms surveyed said they would upgrade their staffing levels, while 7 percent expected cuts.

Employers in Dutchess were more pessimistic three months ago, as 10 percent projected workforce additions and 27 percent planned cuts, Challen said.

Statewide, 20 percent of companies surveyed plan to increase staff, eight percent plan cuts, 67 percent plan no change.

The national picture reveals that 22 percent of the employers interviewed intend to staff up this spring, while 9 percent said they will trim their rolls, said Challen.

Another 63 percent plan to maintain present levels, while 6 percent have not finalized their plans for the second quarter, he said.

Manpower Inc. conducts the survey through telephone interviews with approximately 16,000 public and private employers in 468 U.S. markets. The survey has been conducted quarterly for 27 years.