The Employment Expectations report said construction, property and engineering would lead the way.

Based on a national survey of 5072 employers, the report outlines the 2011 quarter to March as being the first time in more than a year that Newcastle, the Hunter and the Central Coast had recorded an increase in employer sentiment.

Hunter Valley Research Foundation statistics revealed 88,100 more people were employed in the Hunter in 2010 compared to the year 2000 and unemployment was down to almost record levels at 4.3 per cent.

The report said 43.5 per cent of employers plan to increase staff levels in the next quarter, well above the national average of 32.9 per cent.

"These industry results reflect the NSW Coalition's announcement of increased funding for infrastructure projects and the Hunter expressway project generating strong interest in the region," Hudson's Hunter/Central Coast general manager James Tocci said.

Employment rose 11.2 per cent last year alone, taking the total number employed in the Hunter to 332,100.

The strong Australian dollar put a squeeze on manufacturing in other regions but hiring intentions in the Hunter improved to a strong 54.8 per cent.

The resources industry reported the only drop in confidence as disruptions from heavy rain caused substantial shortages of Hunter export coal.