With one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation, the Los Angeles metropolitan area has suffered through the recession like a wet dog left out in the cold. But things are warming up: A Manpower Employment Outlook Survey unleashed Tuesday indicates that hiring in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana area will be on the upswing in spring.

“From April to June, 17 percent of the companies interviewed plan to hire more employees,

while 11 percent expect to reduce their payrolls,” states the Manpower report. “Another 66% expect to maintain their current staff levels and 6 percent are not certain of their hiring plans.”

The result, according to the employment research firm, is that its outlook for jobs in the area has gone from negative three percent last quarter to a positive six percent projection for April through June.

“Hiring levels in our area appear to be stronger … ,” states Manpower spokeswoman Carla Moore. “In addition, employers are much more optimistic about hiring activity as compared with one year ago … “

Jobs will be added in the following sectors, according to Manpower: Construction, durable goods, manufacturing, information, financial activities, professional and business services, education and health services and leisure and hospitality.

Areas that will likely continue to lose jobs include: transportation and utilities, wholesale and retail trade, government and “other services.” Hiring in nondurable goods manufacturing will stay level, according to Manpower.

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