EMPLOYERS in the North-East intend to take on more workers over the next three months but at a reduced rate compared to the summer, according to a survey published today.

Figures released by employment experts Manpower found that a balance of +14 per cent of employers in the region expect to increase their staff numbers between October and December.

The hiring activity is one per cent higher than the national average and remains strong, despite representing a decrease of six per cent compared to the previous quarter.

The quarterly Manpower Employment Outlook Survey is a study of hiring trends based on a poll of 2,100 employers.

Amanda White, Manpower's operations manager for the region, said: "It is encouraging to see that business confidence in the North-East remains strong and that employers intend to increase their workforce until the end of year.

"In places such as Newcastle and Darlington we are seeing an increase in demand for permanent workers as well as temporary staff across a wide range of industry sectors.

"Specifically, we are experiencing demand for skilled workers in manufacturing and the public sector, which is having a positive impact on the labour market.

"There is also strong demand for people to work in the call centre industry and those with good customer service and sales experience are particularly sought-after."

Around the country, employers in 11 of the 12 regions surveyed predicted a positive hiring climate, with the exception of Scottish employers, who anticipate their weakest hiring activity since the end of 2002.

Employers in the West Midlands and Yorkshire and Humberside are the most confident, recording year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter increases, giving a balance of +27 per cent and +22 per cent respectively.

By business sector, employers in the finance and business services industry are the most optimistic about their hiring intentions.