Manpower: Romanian employers to slow hiring pace while searching more for skilled workers

Romanian employers will slow the pace of hiring in the final three months of the year, with hiring expectations dropping 9 percentage points in the fourth quarter of 2011 as compared with last quarter, according to the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey. However, the real drop is not in demand, but in a shortage of skills, according to Manpower. “Romanian employers are having the greatest difficulty in filling positions (53 percent) in the entire EMEA region. We need a more detailed understanding of which skills and competencies are needed, then a national program for developing them. Strategic relocation of skills, or talent mobility, at the national level is also essential for ensuring we have the right skills, in the right place, at the right time,” said Valentin Petrof, Country Manager of ManpowerGroup Romania.

The survey of 763 Romanian employers reveals that more than one out of five Romanian employers indicate they will still add to their payrolls through the end of the year. Despite the considerable quarter-over-quarter decline, the net employment outlook still stands at plus 11 percent.

“At the time of the survey, the stock market was under a serious pressure and predictions of a potential double-dip recession in the United States may have affected employer confidence locally. However, the overall employment picture is still strong, especially compared to a year ago when the Net Employment Outlook was at 0 percent -- it’s now 11 percentage points stronger,” said Petrof. At a regional level, employers in all eight regions expect to increase staffing levels during the fourth quarter this year. The most optimistic hiring plans are reported in the South-West, where the Net Employment Outlook stands at +14 percent. In an industry sector comparison, employers in eight of the 10 industry sectors predict an increase in headcount during the fourth quarter this year. In the wholesale & retail trade sector, employers forecast solid headcount gains, with a Net Employment Outlook of +23 percent. editor@romania-insider.com (photo source:photoxpress.com)