2007 Temporary Jobs Guidebook by Staffing Industry Analysts

Staffing Industry Analysts has created the 2007 Temporary Jobs Guidebook which outlines “a fundamental shift in the make up of the U.S. workforce.”

"From our analysis, we predict that over the next 10 years, corporate America is likely to face a distinct challenge to find highly skilled workers to help them achieve their business objectives," said Barry Asin, Chief Analyst of Staffing Industry Analysts. "As a result, employers can expect rising prices for skilled temporary help and longer waits to find these workers. For temporary staffing firms, the demand for contingent workers will translate into a growth opportunity for the foreseeable future."

Here are some interesting facts on temp labor contained in the Guidebook:

The Guidebook can be orderded by contacting Staffing Industry Analysts' sales at 650-232-2350 or kmarechal@staffingindustry.com.

Workforce Vision * Post: Bill Inman * Human Capital * Contingent Workforce * Globalization * Trends * Outsourcing

U.S. Contingent Workforce Statistics

Jobs

Staffing companies match millions of people to millions of jobs.

• 2.9 million people per day are employed by staffing companies.
  
• 12 million temporary and contract employees are hired by U.S. staffing firms over the course of a year.
  
• 79% of staffing employees work full time, virtually the same as the rest of the work force.

Flexibility

The staffing industry offers flexibility to both employees and companies. People can choose when, where, and how they want to work. Companies can get the skills they need to keep fully staffed during busy times.

• 66% of staffing employees say flexible work time is important to them.
  
• 64% of staffing employees report that their work gives them the scheduling flexibility and the time for family that they desire.
  
• 90% of client businesses say staffing companies give them flexibility to keep fully staffed during busy times.

Bridge

Temporary and contract work provides a bridge to permanent employment. People can try out a prospective employer and showcase their skills for a permanent job.

• 88% of staffing employees say that temporary or contract work made them more employable.
  
• 77% of staffing employees say it’s a good way to obtain a permanent job.
  
• 80% of staffing clients say staffing firms offer a good way to find people who can become permanent employees.

Choice

Many people choose temporary and contract work as an employment option. They can select their work schedules and choose among a variety of diverse and challenging assignments.

• 67% of staffing employees say choice of assignments was an important factor in their job decision.
  
• 23% of staffing employees have little or no interest in a permanent job—they prefer the alternative arrangement over traditional employment.
  
• 33% of staffing employees say they work for a staffing company because they like the diversity and challenge of different jobs.

Training

The staffing industry provides free training for millions of temporary and contract employees to help meet today's demand for skilled workers.

• 90% of staffing companies provide free training to their temporary employees.
  
• 65% of staffing employees say they developed new or improved work skills through their assignments.
  
• 40% of staffing employees say they choose temporary or contract work as a way to obtain employment experience or job training.

Staffing Statistics - Staffing Facts. [American Staffing Association]

Workforce Vision * Post: Bill Inman * Human Capital * Contingent Workforce * Globalization * Trends * Outsourcing

U.S. Temporary Employment in Decline for 1st Time in 3 Years

Temporary help payroll growth, as measured on a 12-month trend, has been weakening steadily over 2006, and finally crossed the line into the negative zone in November, falling 0.8% from the year earlier. This was the first recorded year-over-year decline in temporary help payrolls since June 2003. Part of the reason for this decline is the effect of Katrina on previous year’s numbers. November 2005 saw a large increase in temporary help usage in the weather-beaten Gulf Coast. Nonetheless, even taking this liberal perspective, it remains that temporary help payrolls are also up less than 1% above pre-Katrina levels, so volume growth is unquestionably weak at best. On a month-to-month basis, temporary help services rose 0.2% from October, adding 4,800 jobs, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.

Workforce Vision * Post: Bill Inman * Human Capital * Contingent Workforce * Globalism * Trends * Outsourcing

The Four Segments of the Contingent Workforce

Manpower's whitepaper "The Total Workforce" outlines their 'Four Segments of the Contingent Workforce'. The following diagram outlines these four areas and provides a useful reference to often often used terms "Temporary Employee", "Contractor", "Outsourced Employee", and "Consultant".

Click on the Image Above to View a Larger Size

The Total Workforce. [Manpower - PDF]

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Blue Collar Temporary Workforce To Continue Growing In 2007 Despite Moderating Economic Growth

Staffing Industry Analysts forecasts Temporary Staffing for Industrial Workers To Expand A Solid 5% Next Year After 7% Growth In 2006

The forecast states "the growth of temporary industrial jobs will be approximately the same as the overall growth rate of U.S. temporary workers. Temporary industrial jobs, which have been growing rapidly to keep pace with demand from largely cyclical industries, comprise 4% of the total industrial workforce. In 1980, less than 1% of workers in industrial occupations were employed on a temporary basis."

Staffing Industry Analysts CEO Ron Mester said, "Temporary industrial job growth is slowing somewhat as the economy moderates, but it will continue to grow solidly in 2006 and 2007. For job seekers, the opportunities are with every kind of employer – from small business to the Fortune 50. For employers, temporary workers will play an increasingly important role in remaining competitive in a global marketplace where employment needs change quickly."

Facts from the Forecast:

* The South and the Midwest are the geographic regions with the highest proportion of production and transportation jobs.
* The Sunbelt States have the highest proportion of employment in construction.
* Building and grounds-keeping employment is relatively strong in vacation and retirement metropolitan areas.
* Installation and repair employment is highest in the South. * Overall, industrial temporary staffing is expected to grow $2 billion to $28 billion in 2006.
* Industrial temporary staffing is the largest segment of the temporary staffing industry, employing roughly half of all temporary workers.

Blue Collar Temporary Workforce to Continue Growing in 2007 Despite Moderating Economic Growth. [Staffing Industry Analysts]

Workforce Vision * Post: Bill Inman * Human Capital * Contingent Workforce * Globalism * Trends * Outsourcing