What elected officials should know about jobs

Dispelling the Myths

ACSESS: Your industry’s reputation starts with you

Reprinted from the Edmonton Journal August 30, 2011

Here in Ontario, we will be going to the polls in early October. At the Association of Canadian Search, Employment and Staffing Services (ACSESS), we believe it is important to keep politicians of all parties informed about your industry, whatever your industry is.

The reality of our society is that all of government’s services are paid for from taxes, and if the tax base is not sufficient then everything else suffers. So, in order to have a healthy society you need a healthy amount of people working and paying taxes, and enough companies paying taxes. After that, you can look at spending money on programs that increase the quality of life of your electorate.

The Staffing Industry is a huge influence on jobs. ACSESS members enable the job market, create the environment that allows people to find their next job (or their first job, for that matter), and to get the experience they need to move from temporary to permanent employment.

Did you know…

88% of staffing employees say that experience made them more employable;

77% of staffing employees say their temporary assignments led to full time work;

80% of staffing clients say they use it as a means to hire permanent employees;

80% of temporary and contract employees work full-time hours.

There are a lot of myths and negative messages concerning our industry, but here are just SOME of the benefits of the staffing industry.

Workforce benefits of the staffing industry:

1) Temporary and Contract – Employees

i. Explore a wide range of opportunities

ii. Find positions they are uniquely qualified for

iii. Valuable experience leading to career growth

iv. Lifestyle flexibility

2) Temporary and Contract – Employers

i. Reduce fixed costs

ii. Rapidly respond to economic changes

iii. Meet fluctuating labour demands

3) Search & Placement – Employees

i. A source of jobs the never get advertised

ii. Advice that helps get the job

iii. The inside track on employer needs

iv. Career advice

v. Insight into the employment marketplace

vi. Services at no charge

4) Search & Placement – Employers

i. Find the best people for the job

ii. Talent across a range of professions and trades

iii. Consultative advice, including HR

iv. Insight into the employment marketplace

If you work in the staffing industry, ACSESS encourages you to tell your elected officials about the value your industry brings to the economy. That way, when they are tempted to bring in legislation that will hurt the industry, they will at least understand the consequences of their actions.

If you work in another industry, we encourage you to develop messages that educate your elected officials about the value your industry brings.

Every economy needs jobs. Let’s tell politicians how best to help business do that!

About ACSESS

The Association of Canadian Search, Employment and Staffing Services (ACSESS) is the single voice promoting best practices and ethical standards for the recruitment, employment and staffing services industry in Canada. With more than 1,200 member offices offering staffing solutions in the areas of professional search, and temporary and contract staffing, ACSESS members provide a key service to businesses and offer a broad range of career planning and employment opportunities.