The electricity, gas and water supply and restaurants and hotels sectors are likely to offer job seekers the best opportunities to secure a job in the first quarter of 2017, says Manpower SA.
Its latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey also indicates that opportunities for jobs will be weakest in the construction sector.
South African employers participating in the survey reported cautiously optimistic hiring intentions for the three months to March 31, 2017, with 13% of employers forecasting an increase in staffing levels, 5% expecting a decrease and 80% anticipating no change in workforce.
“Quarter one often remains a high tourist season for the local market off the back of the spike in quarter four, which explains why the hiring prospects have remained relatively stable when compared to the fourth quarter results.
“Certain industries experience a spike in business associated with the yearly South African holiday season, which could result in increased employment, carrying through into the first quarter of next year,” says Manpower SA MD Lyndy van den Barselaar.
Staffing levels are forecast to increase in all five regions covered by the survey during the first quarter of next year. Employers in the Western Cape report the strongest hiring plans with a net employment outlook of 13%.
Elsewhere, modest payroll gains are anticipated in Free State and the Eastern Cape, with outlooks of 6% and 5%, respectively, while outlooks of 4% are reported for both Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.