National Temporary Help Week September 13 to 19 Spotlights Importance of This Growing Workforce Segment.

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--August 25, 1999--

With more jobs on the market than qualified workers to fill them, employers are recruiting temporary workers in record numbers. National Temporary Help Week, September 13 to 19, is designed to inform and educate the public about the crucial role of temporary workers in the U.S. economy.

"National Temporary Help Week, held a week after Labor Day, will spotlight a key segment of the U.S.workforce that has become highly visible in a very tight job market, and will continue to grow in both numbers and importance," said Tim Loncharich, Chairman and President of Snelling Personnel Services, one of the largest staffing services companies in the country.

"As one measure, demand for temporary workers in July spurred the greatest climb in business at staffing service firms in 19 months," Loncharich pointed out. "Employers who can't find qualified full-time workers to fill job openings are discovering they can run their businesses more efficiently and with greater flexibility through the use of temporary workers.

"In addition, temporary job assignments are a great way for employers to evaluate prospective full-time workers," added Loncharich, citing research by the National Association of Temporary and Staffing Services (NATSS) showing 72 percent of temporary workers go on to permanent jobs.

Average daily employment in temporary staffing services reached 2.9 million jobs in 1998, with nearly 300,000 people joining the temporary work force, according to NATSS.

"Temporary work allows job hunters to gain valuable experience in a range of industries as well as the freedom to work when and for whom they want," said Loncharich. "Temporary employment also provides students, parents and retirees the ability to supplement their income and maintain a flexible lifestyle."

The annual payroll for temporary help in the U.S. last year was $43 billion, according to Loncharich, who pointed out that "temporary work helps people obtain new skills and sharpen their existing ones, and lets them get their foot in the door of industries and companies that appeal to them."

Snelling Personnel Services, based in Dallas, specializes in providing temporary, temp-to-hire and career placement opportunities to companies in all industries. There are more than 300 Snelling locations across the country.