Sacramento Quarterly Employment Trends
Job demand & hiring trends for local companies in the 4th Quarter of 2010

More Sacramento regional employers will be hiring in the next three months than during this same period last year. Fifty-eight percent (58%) of 100 top companies report they will seek workers in October, November and December of 2010, an increase of six percent (6%) over the Fourth Quarter of 2009. While more regional companies are hiring in the latest quarterly poll of employers by Pacific Staffing, thirty-seven percent (37%) say they are motivated to hire only for replacements in their existing workforce.

As Sacramento regional employers regain market traction and new orders, hiring for growth has also grown by a small percentage over 4th Quarter last year. Twenty-seven percent (27%) of companies polled directly by telephone, or two percent (2%) more than in 2009, say they will increase their workforce in the next three months. Seven percent (7%) of hiring is attributed to seasonal demand.

These incremental increases in regional hiring and planned growth are tempered by the continuing problems noted in some specific industry areas. Seven of ten Construction-oriented companies report they are not hiring anyone in October, November or December. One regional Manufacturer reports they will be laying-off ninety-eight percent (98%) of their workforce in the 4th Quarter.

Skills Demand

For those seeking employment among the area’s top companies customer service/sales, manufacturing and industry specific technical skills are in high demand in the next Quarter. Experience with software specific to manufacturing, construction estimating and computer assisted design (CAD) were noted. Sacramento employers are also seeking workers with experience in product assembly, warehouse and shipping over the next three months.

Workforce Challenge?
The top challenge ahead for HR pros in the area is concern about how to manage changes in healthcare benefits and costs relating to new laws. Twenty-two percent (22%) of companies polled report concern over healthcare reform, increasing costs and management of company benefit programs.

100 Sacramento Regional Top Companies By Industry:
42% are Service, 33% are Manufacturers, 15% are Construction and 10% are Retail

================ Next Quarterly Projections: January 2011 =================

Media contact: Rick Reed 916-704-0080.