IT'S jobs bonanza time for Yorkshire over the next few months if employers can find people with the right skills.

The number of bosses showing "hiring confidence" in the region has increased, according to research released today by Manpower, the workforce management company

Its Employment Outlook Survey shows that the balance of employers forecasting to take on more staff for Yorkshire is 15 per cent up - a slight quarter-on-quarter and year-on-year increase of four and two percentage points respectively.

Amanda White, operations manager for Manpower in Yorkshire, said: "Employers in our region are expressing general business confidence and this is being reflected in the steady increase in the number of employers looking to take on permanent staff.

"However, this confidence is tempered with a level of healthy caution: when employers do invest in new hires they are taking time to find those with the right skills fit."

The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey provides a forecast of employer hiring intentions for the quarter ahead: for April to June this year 2,100 UK employers were surveyed.

Ms White said: "As new budgets become available for the next financial year, we predict companies will increase their recruitment activity.

"Demand from both the public sector and private sector is strong and the need for experienced customer service and sales staff continues to grow."

Updated: 10:40 Monday, March 21, 2005