MILWAUKEE-According to Manpower Inc.'s Manpower Employment Outlook Survey, U.S. employers expect hiring activity from April to June to be stronger than it has been since the first quarter of 2001.

Of the 16,000 U.S. employers that were surveyed, 28 percent said they plan to increase hiring activity for the April-to-June period, while 6 percent expect a decrease in employment opportunities. Another 62 percent of employers foresee no change in hiring, and 4 percent are uncertain of their staffing plans. When the seasonal variations are removed from the data, the outlook for the second quarter is more positive than it was last quarter, and is nearly twice as strong as it was last year at this time. This marks the third consecutive quarter of increased hiring activity.

"Employers in the manufacturing sectors project notable increases in hiring activity," says Jeffrey A. Joerres, chairman and CEO of Manpower Inc.

The job picture is strongest in the South. With the exception of last quarter's survey, employers in the South have been among the most optimistic in their hiring plans since the second quarter of 2002. The fewest job opportunities for the April-to-June period are anticipated in the Northeast.

When seasonal variations are removed from the data, durable goods manufacturers expressed their strongest hiring intentions since the first quarter of 2001. Employers expect a moderate increase in jobs over last quarter and considerable growth compared with a year ago.

According to the seasonally adjusted data, nondurable goods manufacturers plan to hire at a steady pace during the second quarter. This marks the highest expectations in job market growth in 3 years for this sector. Employers report a moderate increase in jobs over last quarter and last year at this time. Estimated employment levels are strongest in the Midwest and weakest in the Northeast.