EMPLOYER hiring confidence in the North-west is positive for the third quarter of 2004, according to research released by Manpower, the UK's leading workforce management company.

Its employment outlook survey shows the balance of employers forecasting to take on more staff for the north west is plus 14 per cent, representing a quarter on quarter increase of 15 percentage points and a year on year increase of one percentage point.

Kim Collins, group business manager for Manpower in the north west, said: "The summer months are always a little slow in the north west.

Historically, business always picks up dramatically in the final three months of the year, both in the permanent and temporary employment markets.

"It's really great to see that employers are also feeling the same level of confidence we are and that this coming quarter will be a good one for the region."