For Immediate Release - June 29, 2005

A Career Fair was held on June 29th, as a collaboration between the Mid-Willamette Staffing Association and the WorkSource Oregon’s Salem Job and Career Center. The Career Fair allowed job seekers to talk with the staffing agencies to find out about the many types of positions they have available and how the agencies can be a vital part of their job search.

In 2004, the local staffing industry employed over 10,000 people for temporary or contract work. Nationally, about 72% of these employees moved on to permanent jobs. The American Staffing Association touts a whopping 90% of companies now use staffing services to meet all or part of their Human Resource (HR) needs. HR departments recognize that the growing trend of the staffing industry has gone beyond the realm of “temporary service”. A certified staffing agency is equipped to work with the business and determine their needs. Staffing services do the foot work of screening applicants so that only the most qualified are offered to the employer. The agency uses its resources and partnerships with private and public entities to establish a database of competent, capable and available employees. Often, staffing services participate in job fairs, mass media advertising and relationship building with various corporate managers in order to keep their hand on the pulse of the needs of the employer.

WorkSource Oregon Job and Career Centers, are a publicly funded workforce system and have a lot to offer the local community. Last year, over 68,000 individuals seeking work connected with the Job and Career Centers located in Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties. Local businesses, including staffing agencies place job listing with these centers to recruit potential employees. The Job and Career Center staff are able to help individuals gain the resume writing, interviewing skills, and hard and soft skills that can help them find the jobs they’re looking for. Businesses have ready access to labor market information and the ability to post job listings.

A recent innovation for the WorkSource Oregon system is the introduction of iMatchSkills. This is a computerized job listing service that helps companies create job listings based on the skills that they need, and individuals to enter their skill sets in addition to their past work history.

The June 29th Career Fair is one example of how the Mid-Willamette Staffing Association and WorkSource Oregon are working together for local businesses. WorkSource Oregon works closely with the 14 certified members of the Mid-Willamette Staffing Association, to provide the type of employee services necessary for job seekers. Through a partnership agreement, these organizations are involved in a number of initiatives. The partners have developed a certification process through the Enterprise for Employment and Education to make sure each is aware of the business services offered by the other and able to tap into resources to help local companies. In addition, the certified staffing agencies have developed a referral process to direct those needing additional skills upgrades to the WorkSource Oregon Centers for assessment and skill development.

Eight staffing agencies were present to talk to job seekers to help them find the job that fits their needs. There was plenty of opportunity to meet with each of the different agencies who represent a large number of employers with current job openings.

The event took place at the WorkSource Oregon Salem Job and Career Center at 605 Cottage Street NE (upstairs conference area) on June 29th. There was a panel discussion providing an opportunity for job seekers to participate in a question and answer session with the staffing agencies following the fair.

Mid-Willamette Staffing Association (www.sedcor.com/MWSA.html)

Contact: Robert J. Newton, President, 503-559-8800 robert.newton@projob.com

Mission: To promote the benefits of using a “Certified” staffing service, able to accomplish the objective of providing businesses with a skilled workforce for both immediate and long term Human Resource needs.

Resources for businesses: “Certified” staffing services are HR industry consultants, equipped to immediately provide qualified job candidates for employers in need. These “Certified” agencies represent the private sector and work directly with companies as the “employer of record” while placing qualified candidates at the work site. Most “Certified” agencies provide various forms of screening services as the client requires and offer outstanding “one stop” type of employment services, assessments and proposals aimed at addressing any and all HR needs. “Certified” staffing services are often the “first stop” for employers.

WORKSOURCE OREGON (www.worksourceoregon.com)

Contact: Danell Butler, Manager-Marion & Polk counties, Oregon Employment Department

(503)378-4846 ext. 296 email: Danell.L.Butler@state.or.us

or Mike Newstrom @ 503-378-4846 x 230

Mission: Support Businesses and Promote Employment

Worksource Oregon consists of seven job and careers in Marion, Polk and Yamhill Counties developed to connect employers with a wide array of business services as described below. They provide:

• Recruitment & job matching, List job openings online, by fax, or just call, choose self-service or staff-assisted recruitment

• Reduced federal tax liability, wage reimbursement, tax credits

• Labor Market Information including industry employment, occupational employment, labor force and unemployment statistics, wages, income, population, and other demographic information.

• Tailored wage information, monthly economic newsletters, and analysis of labor market trends

• A network of partners offering training and other resources, facilities for recruitment needs, knowledgeable staff to assist and answer employment questions, Unemployment insurance program information, and easy electronic payroll tax reporting.