And what’s more, TMS Asia-Pacific (TMS) says the number of candidates looking to fill these positions has also grown.
The travel and hospitality management specialist is currently helping its nationally-spread client base in locating and securing upwards of 175 short term employees on a weekly basis and expects that figure to exceed the 200 mark in a very short time.
According to TMS chief executive officer, Gary Marshall, more and more companies have begun to realise and utilise the benefits of a flexible workforce and the trend is definitely building.
“Employers have always looked to temporary staff during busy periods or used them to gauge whether their business is ready to take on extra permanent staff,” he said.
“But more and more companies are finding that the use of temps offers them much more freedom and the flexibility to manage their businesses effectively,” he said.
“A lot of people choose to temp for the flexibility it offers while some candidates are keen to temp until they find the exact, more permanent role they are looking for.
“All considered temping is a great option for both clients and candidates and it’s very much a two-way street.”
Mr Marshall said feedback received from the company’s offices and particularly New Zealand and Singapore, was a clear indicator that the current trend was not limited to Australia.
In Auckland TMS general manager New Zealand, Sarah King, has reported a steady increase in the number of three, six and nine-month contracts being made available.
“There always seem to be larger numbers of available temporary staff at this time of year, many of them travellers coming home for the summer period, but we’re also seeing a steady increase in the number of three, six and nine-month contracts coming online,” she said.
“From the client side we’re seeing a variety of scenarios. Some clients obviously look at temps simply to cover annual leave, but others use temps, and these positions are more likely to be three, six or nine month contracts, because the future is uncertain.
“Some of our clients use temps because budgets don’t allow for a permanent employee. Others use contract staff when they’re trialing a new product offering and want to ensure it works before taking staff on permanently.
“There are those who prefer temporary staff because of the nature of the travel industry where contracts can come and go.
“We are also finding a big increase in the number of companies preferring to trial temporary positions in order to assess their potential viability in the longer term,” she said.
TMS general manager, Singapore, Andrew Chan concurs.
“There is always an increased demand for temp placements in Singapore at this time of year as the city approaches its annual festival season,” he said.
”But we have been registering a steady increase in short-term placements across the entire year. “Local employers too seem much more aware of the benefits hiring temps can bring.”
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