Temporary jobs, or temping, as it is more commonly referred to in recruitment circles, may sometimes be looked down, missing some of the opportunities this arrangement can offer to those looking for more permanent employment.
“At Misco Temping, we have found out that 80 per cent of temporary roles get renewed, while around 40 per cent of the temporary roles go over one year. We have also had temporary employees landing an indefinite full-time job. Temping is increasingly becoming a new and effective way of getting a permanent job,” says Lisa Schembri, HR executive at Misco Temping.
Temping may be considered by those who are currently unemployed, are looking for their first job or want to gradually re-enter the job market. In fact, temporary roles use temping as a means to get an income while searching for a permanent role that is more suited for them. Temporary workers do not have to pay to register and get a job with a temporary agency and, contrary to misconceptions, such roles are available from junior and entry level to executive level.
“Besides acting as a potential window for a relatively more stable post, temping remains an excellent opportunity for those looking for a job that is more flexible, enjoying a number of advantages in the process,” added Ms Schembri.
“Although temporary employees work on a full-time basis, the fact that they get to work through on and off projects gives them more flexibility and time to pursue their personal interests while knowing they have a steady flow of income. And besides being exposed to the diversity and challenges different jobs offer, those applying for temporary roles also stand to gain new skills through the various assignments they get involved in.”
“I’m extremely happy about my temping experience, as after the few months I had for my starting contract, the same contract was prolonged,” says an employee for whom Misco has found a temping position.
“My relationship with my colleagues is very positive and I will be probably engaged for a longer time than my actual job contract stipulated. I am also growing professionally and can actually better my skills,” he added.
Employers too stand to gain from temping.
“Companies employ temporary workers when they want flexibility in their workforce, when they want to test the actual need for employing a person and also the competency fit, particularly when it is a new role. Employers also look at temping when the demands for work are not always steady but fluctuate. Temping is also becoming more in demand, especially with companies needing groups of workers with specialised expertise,” Ms Schembri said.
Misco Temping recently sourced a number of employees for a local manufacturing company operating in the pharmaceutical sector.
“We experienced a temporary increase in production levels due to tight shipment schedules and since we needed workforce for a limited period, temping turned out to be the easiest and fastest solution, as it avoided us all the administrative work involved with employing new people,” explained one of the directors.
“Employing new people, even though for a limited period, is a time-consuming process that can be unproductive, especially when employing people for brief periods. Misco Temping did the ground work involved in the hiring process and although we knew we were training people who would not remain employees for long, we knew that if the need arose we could revert to employing them again. All in all, temping is a perfect solution for temporary hiring,” she added.
From an administrative point of view, temping is also beneficial for the employer because temping employees are usually employed with the temping agency and not with the company for whom they work.
“Thus companies are not lumbered with extra administrative commitments,” Ms Schembri concluded.
lschembri@miscomalta.com