ManpowerGroup’s latest survey shows Greater Des Moines employers expecting to ramp up hiring slightly in the first quarter of 2020.

However, the rate still will be lower than at the same point a year earlier. 

Among the local employers surveyed, 21% plan to hire more employees in the first quarter. But 6% plan to reduce payrolls and 71% expect staffing levels to be steady. That means a net outlook of 15% more hiring — up two percentage points.

“Compared to Q4 2019 when the net employment outlook was 13%, [Greater Des Moines] employers have reported consistent hiring pace,” said Kathy Joblinske of ManpowerGroup’s Des Moines staff. But the year-ago outlook was 19%, she noted.

The areas likely to see the most hiring are nondurable goods manufacturing, transportation and utilities, wholesale and retail trade, information, financial activities, education, health services, and leisure and hospitality. 

Statewide, employers reported a net outlook of 16%, down from 20% at the same point this year. With 21% planning to hire more, 5% planned to cut payrolls, 72% to hold steady and 2% not sure of their plans. 

The Iowa net outlook lags both the first-quarter national figure, 19% (down one percentage point from a year ago), and the Midwest outlook of 21%, the highest figure in more than a decade.