QPS Predicts Increased Wages Coming to Manufacturing and Service Sectors

BROOKFIELD, WI--(Marketwired - Aug 19, 2014) - Companies in the Midwest are in a hiring mode, yet nearly 50 percent have open positions not being filled due to a lack of candidates, according to a new quarterly employment survey conducted by QPS Employment Group, a Wisconsin-based staffing and recruiting firm.

The pressure to fill positions is increasing. More than 70 percent of companies indicated that they expect to hire from one - nine employees during the third quarter of 2014. And, the same percentage of companies have considered adding a training program to address the lack of skilled candidates.

"Our survey also revealed that a growing number of companies -- more than 27 percent -- will increase wages in the third quarter," said Scott A. Mayer, president of QPS.

"While the majority of companies are not planning to implement wage increases, our local office staff say their most forward-thinking employers are bucking the trend to do what it takes to stay competitive," added Mayer. "Unless more employers think this way, the industry will not be able to close the demand and supply gap you currently see."

In fact, many leading-edge QPS customers are experiencing recruiting challenges and are addressing the wages strategically: 1) Raising wages to keep the employees they have, or 2) Raising wages ahead of the tide to attract new employees.

Recruiting is becoming exceptionally competitive. QPS is uniquely positioned to observe marketplace trends across a broad section of the marketplace because: its customers span five states; it has a large recruiting workforce; a 29-year history of recruiting in the Midwest; and a huge list of customers across a variety of industries.

Those looking for work would benefit from visiting staffing firms like QPS, because they specialize in opening doors for candidates. QPS offers positions that are full time, yet start off as temporary, so that employees can try out a company to see if they like the work they are doing before being permanently hired.

QPS lists the Top 5 Jobs for General Labor and Skilled Manufacturing throughout Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Wisconsin as:

General Labor

1. Assembly
2. Packaging
3. Warehouse/Logistics
4. Food Manufacturing
5. Machine Operators

Skilled Manufacturing

1. Forklift Drivers
2. CNC Machine Operators
3. Welders
4. Machine Set Up & Maintenance
5. Quality Control

Candidates with a high school diploma or GED and above are encouraged to apply in person or at www.qpsemployment.com. QPS has jobs to fill in all areas of employment.

About the Survey:
The quarterly QPS survey, conducted in June of 2014, is an indicator of local employers' expectations of the current economic climate. The survey was issued to 263 local companies throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri. The average company size reported was 115 employees. Results were not adjusted for seasonal fluctuations. QPS has been surveying companies since 2006. Results available upon request.

About QPS:
QPS was founded in 1985 and has grown from a two-person operation to a company whose internal staff now numbers over 280 employees in more than 30 office locations throughout the Midwest. QPS has experienced substantial growth over the last 29 years. We currently employ more than 5,000 associate employees weekly and work with more than 1,500 companies throughout the Midwest. QPS has earned a reputation for responding to both employees and customers, finding optimal employment for applicants and taking initiative to resolve customers' staffing needs.

For more information on QPS Employment Group, visit us on LinkedIn.