Staffing agencies see more hiring

Augusta staffing agencies report that hiring is starting to pick up in the job market.

"This is such a positive note to see the activity because it was so low for a while," said Barbie Yonce, the director of operations at Career Personnel.

Medical, accounting and government contract positions are among the fastest growing sectors, according to staffing company representatives.

"We've also gotten a lot of HR, and that's a good sign. That's usually the first department that you want to cut from in a corporate environment," said Robert Kelly, a staffing specialist at Augusta Staffing Associates. "Since the middle of March and most of April, we've been quite busy. We're getting back to normal, slowly but surely."

Zentage General Manager Kelly Taylor said she's noticed a surge in medical office jobs. So has Ms. Yonce, who has medical office and nursing positions available through Career Personnel.

MAU Workforce Solutions is hiring for medical lab technicians, certified medical assistants and registered nurses, President Randy Hatcher said.

Officials with Career Personnel and Peak Employment Solutions LLC have seen an influx of government contract jobs at Savannah River Site because of federal stimulus funds.

Manufacturing, a hard-hit sector, has an increasing number of local openings, said Heather Hunter-McNitt, the operations manager for Augusta Staffing's industrial division.

Sizemore Inc. is hiring for production and assembly line jobs, said Tammy O'Tyson, the branch manger of staffing.

Other staffing firms, including Manpower and Peak Employment, are also experiencing a demand for manufacturing and warehouse workers.

Job seekers shouldn't count out temporary or temp-to-hire jobs, Mr. Kelly said.

"You'll see that when the economy starts to build back, they'll hire these higher level positions on a temp-to-hire basis. That's what we've seen recently," Mr. Kelly said.

There's work for payroll clerks, information technology directors and human resources out there, too.

Mr. Hatcher believes "firms will start to gear up by hiring specialty skills and managerial positions first before rehiring large work forces."

"We've seen a pretty heavy emphasis on accounting at all levels. Accounting and sales are our two heaviest hitters," said Joy Reid, the personnel consultant for Job Shop, Augusta Staffing's permanent and professional placement division.

Reach LaTina Emerson at (706) 823-3227 or latina.emerson@augustachronicle.com.