A new survey of the hiring intentions of Canadian employers across the country reveals which regions are expecting to see the greatest employment growth this spring. Here’s a look at some key spots in the Atlantic region.

The Manpower Group has just released its Employment Outlook report for the year’s second quarter. Most Canadian employers say that they are planning only modest hiring over the next three months. Still, a slightly higher percentage of hiring professionals surveyed say they plan to increase staff in the spring than in the winter months.

While only 12 percent said that they intended to hire in the first quarter of the year, that number has climbed to 15 percent for Q2.

The survey of over 1,300 employers across Canada reveals that while 15 percent plan to increase their staffing levels over the next few months, a further 4 percent are anticipating employee cutbacks. Meanwhile, 77 percent of the employers surveyed expect their current staffing levels to remain unchanged, and the remaining 4 percent are still unsure of their hiring intentions.

The numbers are a little stronger in Halifax where 27 percent of employers say that they plan to hire for the upcoming quarter, while only 3 percent anticipate cutbacks. See current job openings in Halifax.

In Cape Breton, 16 percent of employers surveyed say that they intend to hire this spring. There also, three percent predict possible cutbacks. See jobs hiring in Cape Breton.

Moncton falls just below the national average with 12 percent of employers planning to hire this spring, and 4 percent say that they may see staff reductions. View available jobs in Moncton.

The employment outlook is less positive in Saint John with just 4 percent of employers planning to increase staff this spring, and a full 16 percent facing cuts.

Meanwhile in Newfoundland, the survey data reveals that 7 percent of St. John’s employers plan to hire for the upcoming quarter, while 10 percent predict cutbacks. Employers hiring in St. John’s.

The hiring outlook for Charlottetown is firmer with 28 percent of employers indicating intentions to hire over the next few months, and 3 percent foreseeing staff cuts. Job openings in Charlottetown.

“An ongoing moderate hiring Outlook for employers in the second quarter of 2021, in light of the continuing Covid-19 pandemic, can be interpreted as a positive trajectory,” said Darlene Minatel of ManpowerGroup Canada. “With all ten industry sectors expecting to hire in the upcoming quarter, there will be opportunities for job seekers. With widespread Covid-19 vaccination on the horizon, employers appear to be cautiously optimistic and open to flexibility in consideration of the post-pandemic chapter for business.”

Across the country, half of the employers surveyed say that over the next six to 12 months, the majority of their workforce will be working all or at least most of the time out of the physical workplace. Only a third (33 percent) report that they continue with a mix of remote and workplace-based working.