MORE bosses intend to hire rather than fire in the months between now and September, according to two recent surveys.

The findings by human resource consultancy Hudson and the Singapore National Employers' Federation (SNEF) suggest that some sectors intend to increase staffing levels and position themselves for an anticipated upturn.

Explaining the rise recruitment plans, Hudson's Singapore country manager Gina Mclellan said companies polled were feeling 'more buoyant' by early signs of economic recovery and were more willing to hire again.

Hudson, which does quarterly forecasts on prospects for white collar workers, polled 700 executives in May.

Of these, 26 per cent plan to recruit in the July to September period - up from 20 per cent in the previous months. It is the first increase in two years - since the first three months of 2007.

The survey found that fewer firms will shed staff between July and September. Only 14 per cent plan to do so, down from 19 per cent in the second quarter.

Ms Mclellan said Government schemes such as Jobs Credit, which subsidises employers' wage bills, and the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resillience - which covers worker training - played a part in boosting companies' confidence in sustaining their businesses.

Almost all sectors polled plan to increase hirings. But the most bullish were healthcare and lifesciences, which were r elatively unaffected by the recession.

Next came banking and financial services, which saw huge paycuts and retrenchments in the downturn but look to be on the mend 'as the volume of deals seem to be sustainable', said Hudson.

The IT and consumer sectors are also stepping up recruitment, with the latter needing to fill vacancies in new malls and the two upcoming Integrated Resorts.

Read the full report in Friday's edition of The Straits Times.