The Covid-19 pandemic had far-reaching consequences for many areas of commerce and industry, with businesses forced to close or switch to remote working with little to no warning, a situation that few were prepared for or anticipating.
For some sectors, the damage wasn’t difficult to quantify. Retailers, for example, restricted to selling only the most essential provisions, faced oblivion, particularly if they were unable to trade via digital sales channels. Consequently, many household names have disappeared from the High Street, or face unprecedented challenges in the years to come.
So, how were temporary staff recruitment agencies affected by the global pandemic and what does the future hold for the sector?
An Influx Of Temporary Workers
Initially, with nationwide lockdowns in full swing, fewer companies were seeking to hire temporary staff. A significant reduction in working hours, and redundancies as businesses closed, compelled many to put a hold on their recruitment. Some temporary workers opted not to seek new placements for fear of being exposed to the virus.
However, as workers were laid off, furloughed, or displaced from their usual positions, a significant number have turned to temporary personnel agencies for work. Many have entered professions outside of their experience or skillset, presenting employers with the opportunity to hire from a richer pool of candidates, many of whom offer valuable transferable skills.
Changing Attitudes Underpin Successful Careers
As many workers have left their previous positions and sought employment in unrelated fields of employment, there has been a change in the way some roles are perceived and a greater appreciation for the benefits of transferable skills.
Healthcare, for example, is one sector that has witnessed a huge growth in job numbers. Many healthcare providers were already experiencing recruitment problems following the UK’s exit from the European Union. Between 2016 and 2018, for example, nurse recruitment from the EU plummeted by 87 per cent.
However, the displacement of workers has redefined their perception of other fields of work, convincing many to stay within their new industry and providing employers with a healthy resource for temporary staff recruitment.
Surging Demand For Temporary Health Workers
One unfortunate outcome of the Covid-19 pandemic is that the UK’s health service has been pushed to breaking point: waiting lists for treatment are at an all-time high; fewer patients than ever are being seen within the target 4-hour window in emergency departments, and one in 10 nursing vacancies remain unfilled.
Demand for temporary contract staff will undoubtedly rise throughout 2023. At Kingdom, we provide high-quality and experienced staff for immediate placement, and ensure that pre-vetting and candidate matching procedures are completed promptly and efficiently, so that our temporary workers are ready to fill your vacancies as soon as they arise.
Contact Kingdom Today
To find out more about our temporary staffing solutions, please get in touch with us on 0330 022 9422.
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