Phillips Staffing, one of South Carolina’s largest and fastest-growing staffing and human capital solution providers, is joining staffing firms from across the nation in celebrating National Staffing Employee Week, September 28–October 4.

The commemorative week, initiated by the American Staffing Association and its Palmetto State chapter the South Carolina Staffing Association, honors the millions of temporary and contract employees working for U.S. staffing firms each week.   In South Carolina alone, the staffing industry employs an average of more than 64,900 temporary workers each week and over 300,000 annually, accounting for in excess of $2.6 billion in annual sales (Source:  American Staffing Association, 2015).

These positions are across all industry sectors and professions, and a majority are fulltime or lead to fulltime employment, according to ASA research. In fact, permanent employment is a top motivation for choosing this line of work, and one in five cite scheduling flexibility as a key reason for choosing staffing, according to the 2015 ASA Staffing Employee Survey.

“National Staffing Employee Week salutes the temporary and contract employees who contribute to the economy of South Carolina and that of our entire nation,” said Blanton Phillips, CEO of Phillips Staffing.   “Phillips Staffing is proud to be a leader in an industry that provides so many benefits to employees, to businesses, and to the Southeastern economy.”

Phillips is celebrating National Staffing Week by hosting “thank you” lunches for employees in all ten of its South Carolina and Georgia offices, as well as acknowledging the special occasion with personal thank-you letters to associates, office posters, electronic messaging to clients and business leaders, and other activities.

Temporary staffing is a core strategy to build and maintain workforce, notes Ed Parris, President of Phillips Staffing, adding that the industry continues to be embraced for its contributions to job creation, growth, and sustained employment.  As the states of South Carolina and Georgia continue efforts to fill the skills gap, Phillips utilizes WorkKeys and the National Career Readiness programs extensively with clients and employees, and advocates for peer staffing providers to do so as well.  Phillips is a partner in the WorkReady Communities effort, and leader in strategic initiatives aimed at growing the workforce. 

Parris also noted that staffing is a critical part of the economic development process. 

“Companies are drawn here because of the availability of flexible, talented, and efficient labor, and they depend on our industry’s expertise and services to find, hire, and deploy the people that they need to be successful,” said Parris.  “Just as importantly, our employees rely on us to place them in good jobs, where they can utilize the skills they have, learn new skills, build experience, and enhance their careers.  This week is a time to celebrate and salute them.”