More than 40 percent of companies are aiming to hire more employees in 2011 a much-brighter employment forecast than in 2010.

“Almost 44 percent of insurers surveyed plan to increase staff in next 12 months — a five-point jump over July 2010,” according to a BestWire article of February 15, 2011 that reported on the Insurance Market Labor Study, jointly prepared by the Jacobson Group, a recruitment firm, and Ward Group, financial and management consultants.

The article noted actuaries and claims professionals were among the most-sought workers. Also in demand: Technology workers, product managers, underwriters, and sales and marketing professionals.