Staffing Employment on the Rise

Over the past few months demand for contract engineering staff among our clients has increased. This includes local firms seeking to bring on technical talent through a contract-to-direct arrangement.

This trend is reflected on a national level. The American Staffing Association (ASA) reported last week that staffing employment is up 4.4% compared to the same month last year. Over the past 30 days, staffing employment has experienced an 1.8% increase.

From the individual’s perspective, contract assignments offer an opportunity to maintain or even enhance technical skills, while contract-to-direct positions serve as a bridge to direct employment for many individuals seeking a longer term professional association.

From the hiring firm’s point of view, using contract staff allows them to adequately staff critical projects while still maintaining the flexibility to adjust head counts as business conditions allow. With the economy expanding at a very modest pace, many firms just aren’t ready to make the long-term commitment to hire technical staff directly.