Survey: Staffing industry leads job growth

The staffing industry has seen considerable growth recently, according to data released Aug. 30 by the American Staffing Association.

According to an ASA survey, U.S. staffing companies employed 15.9 percent more people during the second quarter of 2004 than during the same period a year ago. From April to June, staffing firms in the United States employed an average of 2.5 million temporary and contract workers each day, which is nearly 350,000 more workers than in the same period of 2003. Also, according to the ASA, the latest second-quarter figures show the largest year-over-year rate of growth since the first quarter of 1995.

According to the survey, U.S. sales of temporary and contract staffing services were $15.8 billion in the second quarter, representing a 13.9 percent increase compared to the same period a year ago. The second-quarter sales figure nearly matched that of the second quarter of 2000 the industry's peak year when sales totaled $15.9 million.

"Increases in staffing employment growth, as well as increases in demand for temp-to-hire and permanent placement services, confirm that businesses need more help as the economy continues to grow," said ASA President and CEO Richard Wahlquist, in a news release. Labor markets are beginning to tighten. Businesses are finding that it's becoming more difficult to find talent on their own, so more are turning to staffing companies to help them meet their increasing personnel needs."