The employment picture in the area has seen some improvement over the past few weeks with a number of people reportedly finding work. In Yancey County, Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company hired a number of people in January.  A spokesperson at the Employment Security Commission office in Burnsville said that Manpower has also been filling positions at Altec Industries and Glen Raven Mills as well as several home health care companies and restaurants in the area. In Mitchell County the Spruce Pine BRP facility, which manufactures components for BRP's Evinrude E-TEC outboard engines, has been hiring steadily since the beginning of the year but currently does not have anything listed with the ESC.   Anyone looking for a job can check area job listings any time on the NCECS website or visit the ESC offices at Kim Thickets Road in Spruce Pine or stop by the Burnsville office at 1040-L East Hwy 19E. The offices are open from 9-4 Monday through Friday and are closed for lunch from 12 until 1pm.