Job demand & hiring trends for local Sacramento companies in the 1st Quarter of 2015
Great Expectations in ‘15
Optimism is strong for ongoing growth of the Sacramento regional economy in the New Year.
In direct contacts with top Sacramento regional employers Pacific Staffing has discovered that eighty-four percent (84%) of company contacts expressed optimism for 2015 about ongoing economic and job growth in our region. Just eight percent (8%) of those contacted November 12-December 16 indicated a pessimistic outlook. Another eight percent (8%) didn’t or couldn’t answer when asked, “Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the economy in 2015?” In what is traditionally the slowest period for hiring, the Sacramento Employment Trends Survey has learned the majority of top regional employers will continue a robust pace in hiring for Q1 2015.
While weather and seasonal change often reduces the hiring market for Sacramento in the First Quarter of the New Year, sixty-five percent (65%) of companies report they are hiring in January, February and March. In another measure of ongoing recovery, growth of the economy and hiring market in Sacramento, forty-nine percent (49%) of hiring was attributed by company contacts to expansion or growth of their workforce in Q1. Thirteen percent (13%) of hiring was attributed to seasonal needs. Thirty-five percent (35%) of companies surveyed by phone say they will not hire in Q1.
Despite the optimistic outlook, regional acquisition and mergers combined with a seasonal layoff is reducing workforces at six percent (6%) of Sacramento regional employers polled in the first three months of 2015.
Skills Demand?
Sacramento employers demonstrated a strong demand for accounting/finance, general office/clerical, warehouse, shipping and manufacturing skills. Customer service, sales, engineering and information technology skills continue to be sought by the area’s top regional companies. Some firms report hiring out of the market for specialized IT and industry proprietary technical skills like automated construction estimating.
Challenges?
2015 brings new laws including sick leave changes and ACA requirements employers are concerned about. Another worry in the Sacramento market is finding qualified applicants, especially in IT and Construction Trades, with employers also citing retention of current skilled workers a growing issue.
Sacramento Regional Top Companies Polled By Industry:
- 37% Service
- 30% Manufacturers
- 21% Construction
- 12% Retail
=============Next Quarterly Projections: April 2015 =================
Media contact: Rick Reed 916-704-0080/ info@rickreedpr.com