LA employers plan to hire at a solid pace during the second quarter, according to a survey to be released Tuesday by Manpower Inc.

The Milwaukee staffing giant’s quarterly survey of employers in Los Angeles and Orange counties found that 23 percent plan to increase staff, 5 percent plan layoffs and 66 percent plan to keep staffing levels constant.

These figures are a significant improvement from three months ago, when 17 percent of employers said they planned to hire more workers during the first quarter. A year earlier, only 16 percent of employers said they planned to add staff.

“Survey results show employers are more confident about hiring plans,” said Manpower spokeswoman Carol Schenk.

The percentage of Los Angeles employers who said they planned to add staff was in line with the national average. Nationwide, the Manpower survey found that 22 percent of employers plan to hire additional workers.

For the second quarter, local job prospects appear best for construction, manufacturing of non-durable goods, the retail sector, professional/business services, education and health services. Employers in financial services and entertainment tended to say they will reduce staff.