Job demand & hiring trends for local companies in the 4th Quarter of 2018

Special: ‘In’ or ‘Out’ -sourcing?

Sacramento employers have slowed hiring with shortages of skills and applicants. However, they continue to seek expansion of workforces in the final Quarter of 2018. Down from sixty-six percent (66%) hiring in the previous three months, Pacific Staffing discovered in direct contacts with top regional employer’s fifty-seven percent (57%) will hire in October, November and December. Twenty percent (20%) of all companies report a lack of applicants as a major challenge.

While top regional employers, contacted by phone between August 23rd and September 21, will cut overall marketplace demand, those seeking workers are still motivated by expansion or growth needs in the workforce. Forty-one percent (41%) will hire for growth in the next three months with replacements within existing workforces accounting for thirty-two percent (32%) of employer demand in the Quarter ahead. Six percent (6%) of Sacramento companies also report
some increased hiring for seasonal needs thru the next three months.

Only one company polled reports plans to reduce workers with layoffs in Fourth Quarter (Q4) due to market slowdowns.

Workforce Challenge?

Seasonal shopping is going to be a gamble as Sacramento retailers polled were split 50/50 on hiring or not in October, November and December. Twenty percent of employers surveyed say simply finding applicants is a major challenge in meeting demands in the Sacramento market. Retention is another challenge. Signing bonuses and incentives like additional vacation or Flex time are being offered in the efforts to keep current skilled, experienced workers at the job and
attract talent from outside the area.

Trend Change?

One trend in employment and management appears to have lost some of the luster enjoyed in the past decade. Outsourcing overseas. When asked in the current booming economy with shortages of skills and applicants if ‘outsourcing’ work overseas is IN or OUT, fifty-eight percent (58%) of all Sacramento companies reported no interest in using it. While some regional employers have ‘outsourced’ and others have not, some are unable to and some forbidden to, outsourcing issues cited included ‘challenges’ in cost, management and additional paperwork in compliance with government rules.

Twenty-four (24%) of Sacramento companies report finding some specific success in utilizing out of market and international resources for printing, design, office or management functions and customer service needs. Skills in top demand for Q4 include drivers, sales, tech, warehouse, shipping and manufacturing. Employers also cite needs for specialized skills including escrow/mortgage, accounting/finance and construction trade workers.

Sacramento Regional Top Companies Polled by Industry:

  • 41% Service
  • 27% Manufacturing
  • 22% Construction
  • 10% Retail

=============Next Quarterly Projections: January 2019 =================
Media contact: Rick Reed 916-704-0080/ info@rickreedpr.com