Spokane ties for worst hiring outlook for 2012 | Business

(Updated 11:25 p.m.) - Like picking petals from a flower - the economy is getting better, the economy is getting worse. From each unemployment data graph to consumer report, it’s the perspective that changes. New research says Spokane tops the list for the worst hiring outlook for 2012.

A recent survey from Wisconsin-based ManpowerGroup says Spokane can expect one of the weakest employment outlooks in the nation for next year's first quarter.

Only 12 percent of employers plan to increase their staff levels while 16 percent of employers plan to decrease their workforce. Compared to past quarterly surveys, that number keeps on increasing. One year ago, only 10 percent of employers planned on decreasing staff levels.

In early 2010, only 75 percent of employers said they would maintain staff levels for 2011 - for 2012, 68 percent of employers will maintain their staffing numbers. The net employment outlook was even at 2 percent for 2011, but even those numbers have dropped. Based on survey data, Spokane’s net employment outlook for next year is estimated to rank at negative 4 percent. The city tied between two other cities for first place in the nation - Fresno, California and Dayton, Ohio. 

Christina Gross with Spokane's Manpower says things aren't as bad as they look though and that job growth in the city is typically slow after the holidays. Gross said, "it is a little bit bleaker than last year at this time, but when you take those seasonal jobs into account we feel like it is staying the same but we are seeing a little bit of hiring." 

• Related Article: Where the Jobs Will (And Won’t) Be in 2012, Forbes

Though this data is tailored specifically for Spokane, Manpower collects data from over 18,000 employers from the 100 largest metro areas in the United States. They interviewed employers during the first two weeks of October. 

Nationwide, 14 percent of employers expect to increase their staffing levels while 9 percent expect to decrease those levels for the first quarter. 70 percent expect of employers to remain at the same staff levels. The remaining 7 percent are undecided about their hiring plans. Seasonal variations are removed from Manpower’s data.

For job prospects, Manpower says to look for employment in construction, manufacturing-durable, manufacturing-nondurable and education & health services. Those industries are looking to increase their staff levels.

The two newest big employers coming to Spokane plan on bringing in about 350 jobs. Caterpillar was recruited last summer to bring their business to the West Plains - they’re hoping to bring in about 100 new jobs. Providence Health & Services’ new expansion should bring in about 250 jobs to the Spokane area.

Document: Strongest and Weakest Metro Areas For Employment Outlook

Document: Limited Job Market Expected for Spokane (Press Release)

Kylee Cruz contributed to this report