News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | Temporary Jobs on the Rise in Oklahoma
Despite a growing jobless rate in Oklahoma, nearly 8,800 jobs were added in the state last month, which means a lasting recovery is in sight.
Companies like Express Employment Professionals said they expect to see a huge surge of employers looking to fill temporary jobs by the start of next year.By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Despite a climbing unemployment rate both nationally and locally, Oklahoma added nearly 8,800 jobs last month, which is among the highest in the country.
A local job placement agency said they hold 200 interviews a week and have about 1,000 applicants in the Metro. Meaning there are jobs in the state, even if they're just temporary ones. Experts said that could signal lasting recovery.
Bridget Square, like many, has been toughing it out in the fierce job market.
"I put out a lot of resumes, and I've had some callbacks but nothing solid or anything right now. But I am very hopeful something will come along soon," Square said.
But despite the 7.1 percent October unemployment rate in Oklahoma, Express Employment Professionals said they have seen a gradually recovering economy. Express Employment places temporary and temp to hire workers into the workforce.
"This is a sign that business community thinks the recession's over," said David Lewis, Express Employment Professionals.
In Oklahoma City, the number of temporary jobs has jumped 25 percent in the last month and a half.
"This is a pattern that we see on the tail end of recessions. The first segment of workers that companies tend to hire after a recession are temporary workers or contract laborer. They're sort of testing the waters making sure everything's going to be safe," Lewis said.
Experts said the rising numbers of temporary jobs seems hopeful in the last few months and not just because it's the holiday season.
"This isn't seasonally driven. This is a dramatic sustainable recovery in the economy, period. And it just happens to coincide with the season where we normally see a surge in retail," Lewis said.
Several other job placement agencies around the Metro said they've also seen about a 20 percent jump in temporary jobs available.
Express Employment Professional said they expect a huge surge of employers looking to fill temporary jobs by the start of next year.
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