The Selma times-journal

Several Dallas County companies are expected to hire more employees during the latter half of the summer, according to a recent survey released by Manpower Inc., an employment services company.

The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey, made public last week, shows that 31 percent of local companies interviewed plan to hire more employees between July and September, while none expect to reduce their payrolls, according to Manpower spokesperson Sherri Hardy.

The survey also showed that 69 percent of local companies plan to maintain their current staff levels during the third quarter of 2005.

The survey indicated the best job prospects appear to be in durable and non-durable goods manufacturing, transportation and public utilities, wholesale/retail trade, and services and public administration.

Hiring in construction, finance/insurance, real estate and education is expected to remain unchanged, according to the survey.

The survey also indicated that 32 percent of Montgomery area businesses planned to increase employment this summer, with 57 percent indicating they will have no employment changes.

The statewide survey showed that 32 percent of Alabama companies indicated an employment increase, with 57 percent predicting no employment changes.

These figures seem to be in keeping with the state’s drop in unemployment.

Alabama’s unemployment rate has been holding steady at 4.4 percent for the past two months, according to the state Department of Industrial Relations.