Lawrence’s job market is still on the upswing. But the growth of new jobs is expected to slow down during the third quarter of 2003, according to the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.

Thirteen percent of local companies interviewed in the survey plan to hire more employees from July to September, while 10 percent plan to reduce their workforces, said Nancy Slabaugh, spokesperson for Manpower.

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Those doing the hiring are in the construction, wholesale/retail trades and finance/insurance/real estate sectors, she said.

Those cutting back on their work forces are in the sectors of non-durable goods manufacturing, education and public administration.

The remaining 77 percent of businesses in the survey plan to maintain their existing staff levels, Slabaugh said.

“Last quarter, the job outlook was moderate, when 20 percent of companies surveyed forecast adding workers and 7 percent anticipated reductions,” Slabaugh said in a prepared statement. “Employers were also more upbeat about staffing a year ago at this time as 27 percent thought job increases were likely and non intended to cut back.”

For more on this story, pick up a copy of Wednesday’s Journal-World.