Flat Job Market Expected:
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA MSA


California needs to re-evolve into a business friendly environment.  Arguably for every law, policy, rule, and/or legislature that is “pro” business, you can make a case for those that seem “anti” business.  It’s confusing as best, but until we can find a way to retain and attract more businesses to California, net-new jobs will recover as slow as the economy.

The creation and support of small businesses in Los Angeles continues to be a thriving opportunity.  Much of the job growth is being created from small businesses, especially in non-metro LA; places like the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys.  Professional sales positions, customer support, and mid-level managers are in demand in these areas.  This is a good sign for of both the local economy and potential job growth in the future.

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA MSA employers expect to hire at a reserved pace during Quarter 1 2011, according to the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.  Among survey participants, the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA MSA employment outlook is one of the weakest in the nation.

From January to March, 13% of the companies interviewed plan to hire more employees, while 13% expect to reduce their payrolls. Another 72% expect to maintain their current staff levels and 2% are not certain of their hiring plans. This yields a Net Employment Outlook* of 0%.

"Employers are slightly less optimistic about hiring plans for the first three months of 2011 compared to Quarter 4 2010 when the Net Employment Outlook was 3%." Employers expect a slightly faster hiring pace compared with one year ago, when the Net Employment Outlook was -3%.

For the coming quarter, job prospects appear best in Wholesale & Retail Trade, Financial Activities, Other Services and Government. Employers in Construction, Transportation & Utilities, Professional & Business Services and Leisure & Hospitality plan to reduce staffing levels, while Durable and Nondurable Goods Manufacturing, Information and Education & Health Services employers expect no change in headcount.

Moderate Job Market Expected for California
Employers in California expect to hire at a fair pace during the first quarter of 2011, according to the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.

From January to March, 14% of the companies interviewed plan to hire more employees, while 9% expect to reduce their payrolls. Another 73% expect to maintain their current staff levels and 4% are not certain of their hiring plans. This yields a Net Employment Outlook* of 5%.

For the coming quarter, job prospects appear best in Wholesale & Retail Trade, Financial Activities, Other Services and Government. Employers in Construction, Transportation & Utilities, Professional & Business Services and Leisure & Hospitality plan to reduce staffing levels, while Durable and Nondurable Goods Manufacturing, Information and Education & Health Services employers expect no change in headcount.

For the coming quarter, job prospects appear best in Construction, Non-Durable Goods Manufacturing, Wholesale & Retail Trade, Information, Financial Activities, Professional & Business Services, Education & Health Services, Leisure & Hospitality and Other Services. Employers in Durable Goods Manufacturing, Transportation & Utilities and Government plan to reduce staffing levels.

To view results for Metropolitan Statistical areas surveyed within [State], visit http://press.manpower.com.

William Marzullo is Metro Regional Director, Los Angeles