Dayton Business Journal...
Local hiring outlook dims for 4Q
by Ginger Christ

Tuesday, September 13, 2011 

The Dayton-area employment situation is expected to worsen during the fourth quarter, as more companies plan to cut staffing and fewer plan to hire. 

That’s the findings of a recent Manpower survey, which showed only 13 percent of local employers plan to hire in the next quarter, down from 19 percent during the third quarter. And 9 percent intend to reduce staffing levels, up from 6 percent the previous quarter. 

On the bright side, 75 percent of employers plan to maintain their current staffing levels, while only 3 percent are unsure of their fourth quarter employment plans. The net employment outlook is 4 percent. 

The Dayton hiring situation is stacking up to be tougher than on the national level. Of the 18,000 employers surveyed across the country, 16 percent anticipate hiring during the final three months of the year, while 11 percent expect to cut staffing levels. Seventy percent plan to maintain their current employment levels and three percent are undecided. 

The national net employment outlook is 7 percent. 

However, several companies are hiring sizable numbers in the Dayton region. Thirty-One Gifts LLC — a direct seller of embroidered handbags, personal organizing products and other home and gift items — is in the process of hiring 500 people in Springfield. Caterpillar Inc.    recently opened a distribution center in Clayton and is ramping up to more than 500 employees, while Honda Motor Co.    is working on several expansion projects in Shelby and Logan counties and hiring workers. General Electric    also has begun hiring for a local research facility for its GE Aviation division. 

Read it with links at the Dayton Business Journal