Canada's Staffing Index equals pre-recession high

MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 19, 2012 /CNW/ - Matching its pre-recession high of 107, March's Canadian Staffing Index reading also marked six consecutive months above the October 2008 benchmark of 100, combining to signal strength and consistency in the Canadian economy reports the Association of Canadian Search, Employment and Staffing Services (ACSESS).

"The strong readings from the Index continue to demonstrate that Canada's economy remains on firm footing despite tepid economic growth from the US and continued concerns over the threats from the European debt crisis," explained ACSESS President, Bryan Toffey. "With the exception of a large run-up of the Index in the fourth quarter of 2011, we are nearing an all time high and ACSESS continues to advocate the Index as an excellent leading indicator of the strength of the Canadian economy," he said.

Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA), the research firm behind the Canadian Staffing Index, pointed out that this month's Index reading is 42 basis points higher than the recessionary low of 65 in May 2009. Mining the numbers even further, SIA Research Associate, Timothy Landhuis, noted how "the Index is 13 basis points - or 14 per cent - higher than March of 2011 which was 12 basis points - or 15 per cent - higher than March of 2010. All told, we've seen an improvement of 25 basis points - over 30 per cent - in the last 24 months."

An Index score of 107 measures the respective hours of labour performed by temporary and contract staff in March of 2012 compared to the benchmark index of 100 established in July of 2008.

For more information, please visit www.acsess.org or contact Adam Miller, Marketing & Communications Specialist, at 905-826-6869/1-800-232-4962.

About ACSESS
ACSESS is the single voice for promoting best practices and ethical standards for the recruitment, employment and staffing services industry in Canada. Each month, ACSESS publishes the results of the Canadian Staffing Index, an independent survey conducted by Staffing Industry Analysts. The data collected for the Canadian Staffing Index is the largest sample size ever collected in Canada.

About Staffing Industry Analysts
Staffing Industry Analysts is the premier research and analysis firm covering temporary employment and the contingent workforce. Known for its independent and objective insights, the company's proprietary research, data, support tools, publications and executive conferences provide a competitive edge to decision-makers who supply and buy temporary staffing. In addition to temporary staffing, Staffing Industry Analysts also covers these related staffing sectors: third party placement, and staff leasing (PEOs). Founded in 1989, the company is headquartered in Mountain View, California.

visit: www.staffingindustry.com