Metro Phoenix job market should be strong

PHOENIX — The Valley job market is expected to be among the nation’s strongest in the coming months, according to a workforce consulting group.

The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey found that 28 percent of the companies interviewed plan to hire more employees in July, August and September. That marks a 7 percent jump from last year and an 11 percent hike from the second quarter of this year.

“That’s the third-best outlook in the country.”

Frank Armendariz with Manpower said the hottest job prospects included construction, retail trade, leisure and hospitality. On the flip side.

“The industries we see decreasing would be education and health services.”

Sixty-six percent of the employers surveyed by Manpower will keep the current workforce levels through September. Only 4 percent of the hundreds of employers in the Valley that Manpower surveyed plan to cut staff.