Dow Jones Newswires (01/05/12)

Approximately 35% of American firms are operating with smaller staffs than before the recession, and to keep pace with market demand, many are turning to staffing and recruiting companies and temporary workers. A new survey from ASA corporate partner CareerBuilder finds that 36% of businesses will engage contract or temporary workers in 2012, up from 34% for 2011, 30% for 2010, and 28% for 2009. Of the firms engaging temporary or contract workers this year, 35% plan to hire them on a permanent basis. Areas of demand for staffing and recruiting positions include health care, information technology, clerical, and managerial. Read the CareerBuilder release.

“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 & Recruiting Group. “Our studies have pointed to a rise in these positions postrecession 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.”

“Staffing and recruiting firms are on the front lines when it comes to sourcing talent for businesses of all sizes and across all sectors. Candidates will find good pay, flexibility, opportunities to change careers, valuable skills training, and a bridge to permanent employment,” says Richard Wahlquist, president and chief executive officer of the American Staffing Association. “We’ll see more employers and job seekers making connections in the New Year.”