The jobs market will remain steady in the Temple area through the end of this year, Manpower Inc. reported after its latest national survey of employers.

The numbers hiring, laying off and maintaining a workforce at present levels “sounds about right,” said Ken Higdon, president of the Temple Chamber of Commerce.

Manpower surveys 14,000 employers across the country on a quarterly basis to assess the hiring situation.

“Compared to one year ago when 30 percent of companies surveyed planned to increase staff levels and 13 percent expected to cut payrolls, hiring intentions for the fourth quarter are slightly weaker,” said Dennis Bolding of Manpower’s Temple office.

Higdon noted that the survey does not take into account new jobs created by new employers. He said he has no reliable numbers in that realm. But, the Chamber is preparing a survey to try to come up with accurate data, he said.

Nationally, businesses expecting to do the bulk of the hiring are in durable goods manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade and education, Manpower’s report said.

Carroll Wilson