Forty-six percent of employers in Wisconsin and Illinois plan to increase staffing levels in the second quarter of 2012, up from 41 percent in the first quarter, according to results from a survey by QPS Companies Inc., a privately held staffing firm based in Brookfield, Wis.

“In comparison to the first quarter of 2012, employers are slightly more optimistic when it comes to business conditions and the economy,” according to COO Dan McNulty. “In the second quarter survey, 53 percent of respondents said that the economy was the biggest issue facing their company, in comparison to the first quarter survey’s response of 66 percent. In addition, more companies are now planning to hire, with 46 percent planning to increase levels, as opposed to 41 percent hiring in the first quarter.” 

According to the survey, 42 percent of employers believe there is a shortage of skilled labor, and 53 percent feel the economy is the biggest issues facing companies in the second quarter of 2012.

QPS surveyed more than 200 companies throughout Wisconsin and Illinois as part of its employment forecasting survey.