More Temporary Work in 2012?

Based on reports from the American Staffing Association, temporary employment has been higher in 2011 compared to the same months in 2010. There are a variety of statistics reported by the American Staffing Association, but the numbers show that companies are continuing to use contingency (temporary) workers.  This data supports an increase in demand for temporary jobs and seasonal jobs in late 2011 and into 2012. As companies lack confidence in the long-term market outlook, they are reluctant to hire permanent workers. Temporary workers are the solution for many employers. Demand for temps also varies by industry and region. Talk to temporary agencies in your region to find out the demand opportunities in your area.

Demand for temps seems to be high in area where unemployment is lower.  Skilled temporary workers in healthcare, engineering, and IT fields are in higher demand overall.  As demand for temps increases, so does the pay, especially for highly-skilled workers and multi-lingual workers. 

Like other years, holiday hiring of temporary workers is strong. The National Retail Federation just released the 2011 “Holiday Survival Kit” report.  It predicts retailers will hire about a half a million seasonal workers, which is on par with 2010 hiring of 496,000 seasonal workers. If 2012 is like 2011, a good portion of those workers will stay on for a permanent retail position after the holiday season.

Many economists consider the temporary staffing figures an indicator of the economy’s direction.  If temporary staffing is in decline, that is a bad sign for the economy. Temps are the first to be hired in a recovering economy. A steady and sustained rise in temporary staffing is one signal of the dawn of recovery in the job market.