Jacksonville area employers expect to hire at a vigorous pace during the third quarter of 2006, according to the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey. Among survey participants, the Jacksonville area employment outlook is the eighth best in the nation.

From July to September, 53% of the companies interviewed plan to hire more employees, while none expect to reduce their payrolls, according to Manpower spokesperson Lyn Phillips. Another 47% expect to maintain their current staff levels.

“Jacksonville area employers have stronger hiring intentions than in the second quarter when 37% of the companies interviewed intended to add staff, and 3% planned to reduce headcount,” said Phillips. “Employers are much more positive about hiring than they were a year ago when 40% of companies surveyed thought employment increases were likely and 10% intended to cut back.”