Thirty-five percent of American companies are maintaining a smaller work force than before the recession, and in an effort to remain competitive, 36 percent of employers are expected to use staffing and recruiting companies to hire temporary workers in 2012.
This figure has grown from 34 percent for 2011, 30 percent for 2010 and 28 percent for 2009. Among the respondents planning to hire temporary or contract workers in 2012, 35 percent expect to hire them on a permanent basis. Twenty-seven percent of respondents plan to hire temporary or contract workers in the first quarter of 2012.
"Temporary jobs from staffing and recruiting firms are playing an increasingly important role in the economic recovery," says Eric Gilpin, president of CareerBuilder's staffing and recruiting group. "Our studies have pointed to a rise in these positions post-recession as companies address growing market needs. Employers are relying on temporary and contract workers to support leaner staffs and in many cases, will transition those workers to permanent roles."
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Out of the in-demand contract or temporary positions, some of the top industries and roles include:
Health Care
- Occupational or Physical Therapist
- Speech Language Pathologist
Industrial
- Maintenance Technician or Mechanic
- CNC (Computer Numerical Control) Machinist
Information Technology
- Java or .Net Developer
- Network Engineer
Office-Clerical
- Administrative Assistant
- Customer Service Representative
Professional-Managerial
- Business Analyst
- Marketing Assistant
"Staffing and recruiting firms are on the front lines when it comes to sourcing talent for businesses of all sizes and across all sectors," says Richard Wahlquist, president and CEO of the American Staffing Association. "Candidates will find good pay, flexibility, opportunities to change careers, valuable skills training and a bridge to permanent employment. We'll see more employers and job seekers making connections in the new year."
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