Construction engineers discussing work on site.
Ariel Evans

Construction & Engineering Trends to Look Out for in 2019

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Construction engineers discussing work on site.

What’s Happening in the Construction & Engineering Industry?

With the implementation of new technologies, changing practices, and a shift in mindset, the engineering and construction industry faces some major changes in 2019 and beyond.

Currently, the construction industry is booming with the employment of over 7.2 million people, an all-time low unemployment rate (1.3% for engineering and 3.6% for construction), and a projected market value of $808 billion by the end of 2019.

This market is extremely competitive; some are even calling 2019 in the construction and engineering industry “The War for Talent.” The heightened competition in this field makes it hard for employers to find the best talent that will drive their company to success. Let’s take a look at the four industry trends to look out for in the second half of 2019.

Technology Might Be Changing Everything

As we all know, technology is constantly changing, affecting almost every part of our lives! As a result, today’s increase in technology directly provides career growth opportunities in the engineering and construction industry. Technology supports, rather than replaces, the industry’s talent with better tools for success. In short, technological advancements provide safer work environments, more efficient practices, and an elevated quality of work.

Technology like smart gear, drones, AI, and smart cities are taking this industry by storm. Smart gear, like connected hardhats and work boots, leads the way in safety with alternative ways to communicate, monitor, and track employees. Alongside smart gear, drones have become more popular on work sites. Within the last year, drone usage increased by 239 percent. Using drones provides a more advantageous way to look at sites, create heat maps, gather analytics, and market.

In addition, the efficiency of projects is skyrocketing with the help of technology. AI alone reduces project time and cost by as much as 15 percent! Overall, the variety and multitude of advancing technology are paving the way to the future: smart cities! These advanced cities incorporate ICT, information, and communication technologies to improve the entire city’s quality of life. Smart cities provide a better future living while also reducing waste and consumption. New York, China, and Singapore are just a few cities that have already started implementing smart city practices. Smart city spending is expected to reach $158 billion globally by 2022, and is relying on the engineering and construction industry to get there!

Software is Improving Efficiency Beyond Belief

Overall, the construction and engineering industry is thriving due to the increase in technology. The industry is facing some technological advancements related to data and software from which it won’t be able to shift away. Improvements in project management software programs make jobs more time-efficient by eliminating steps in the process. Building Information Modeling (BIM) Software and Smart Contracts are on the rise. BIM’s 3D intelligent software is making industry leaders stand out from the crowd by facilitating the entire life cycle of a project. Likewise, Smart Contracts also increase productivity by providing an all in one tracking system that keeps all the moving parts of the business operation in line.

Construction and Engineering Practices are Taking a 360

Modular and prefabricated construction is accelerating the future of the construction and engineering industry. Modular/prefabricated construction can generally be clumped together and defined as when modules of buildings are assembled off-site then brought on-site for final construction. This relatively new method in construction has significant benefits, including financial savings, time efficiency, environmental benefits, safety improvements, and project flexibility. Being overall, greener, faster, and smarter. It’s predicted that modular construction will continue to grow by 6.9 percent per year, hitting an impressive $157 billion by 2023!

Sustainability is Becoming More and More Important

In combination with updated practices and technology advancements, going green in today’s society seems easy. Consequently, green construction is the most trending topic in the construction industry. Green construction is a way of building projects in an environmentally responsible and resource-efficient way. And, the younger generation views not as an extra benefit, but as an expected standard. This industry is gearing toward renewable and sustainable practices by aiming for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification. This world-renowned certification provides a way to verify environmentally friendly practices through a widely recognized source. Today, companies want to obtain this certification to achieve instant recognition, increased efficiency, and decreased resources. In conclusion, it’s evident that going green truly has its perks in saving money and time in this industry.

What Now?

The engineering and construction industry faces rapid growth and change in 2019, and it doesn’t seem to be stopping there! Now is the time where talent is needed the most but the most difficult to find! But, we are ready to help you find the best and most qualified talent in today’s tight labor market. Check out our job board to get your critical roles filled fast!

Patrice MacMillan

JSG Employee Spotlight: Su Voeun

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Su Voeun

Su Voeun is an Employee Service Representative/Payroll Specialist in our San Jose office. She celebrated four years with JSG in July and has been an essential factor in the great success the western region sees, year after year. Check out what she had to say when it comes to her role here at Johnson Service Group!

What did you do before JSG and how long have you been in payroll?

I worked multiple jobs as a payroll specialist as well as a data analyst where most of the roles were contract. I graduated with my Bachelors in Accounting and so payroll has just been something I’ve enjoyed doing. Right before I came to JSG, I was working as a data analyst for CISCO. I had a mutual connection with JSG due to them placing me at one of my contract roles. Excitingly enough, when that CISCO role came to an end, they asked me if I wanted to join the San Jose team as a full-time Payroll Specialist. I, of course, said yes! It meant a lot to me since I hadn’t been working in payroll for a couple of years but was so excited to get back into it and have that security of a full-time position.

What do you like about working for JSG and the San Jose office?

I love that I get to help contractors every day as well as work in a fantastic office where the people are super sweet and support one another 100 percent! I work in a group of 3 payroll specialists, and we’re always helping one another when needed and vice-versa. It’s like a big family, not only with the people here in San Jose but also with our co-workers we get to work with at corporate too. They all make my job so much easier. I admire that JSG is more like a family that focuses on supporting every member of the team.

I also love the fact that since everyone works so closely together, we never have a lack of communication. Especially with our contractors due to our on-site recruiters.

What do you want to accomplish this year?

This year we’re working on new technology to upgrade our payroll and accounting systems. I’m so excited to use the new system and see how much more it helps our processes advance.

What are some of your hobbies?

Recently I’ve taken up seeing a lot of Broadway Musicals. I just saw Aladdin, and it was spectacular! I also would say I’m a definite foodie, so I love going around and finding excellent new places to eat in the San Jose area. We love to use yelp, and it’s been helpful so far!

Happy Anniversary
Ariel Evans

August Anniversaries and July New Hires

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Happy Anniversary

August 2019 Anniversaries

Congratulations to all of our employees with August anniversaries. We appreciate your dedication to JSG and all of your hard work. Please join us in celebrating our tenured staff!

Atlanta, GA

Fred Williams – 9 years

Carmen Cabrera – 6 years

Michelle Figari – 3 years

Annette Rinslo – 2 years

Madan Yonzon – 1 year

Bedford, TX

Christy Williams – 3 years

Birmingham, AL

Linda McCarron – 11 years

Columbia, SC

Pat Layden – 6 years

Canada

Jason Landa – 5 years

Kim Getty – 5 years

Jacksonville, FL

Terry Peak – 2 years

Knoxville, TN

Linda Woods – 7 years

Spokane, WA

Jeremy Johnson – 2 years

Westmont, IL

Cynthia Razo – 9 years

Harry Snyder – 5 years

Lacey Boulware – 5 years

Beth Seyler – 3 years

Nicole Shenberger – 3 years

Debra Silva – 2 yearsJuly New Hires

July 2019 New Hires

JSG gained some new faces in June. Please join us in welcoming our newest staff members to the JSG team!

Atlanta, GA

Brook Williams

Gloria Salgado

Bedford, TX

Kiev Dao

Birmingham, AL

Erica Johnson

Charleston, SC

Kaitlyn Morgan

Columbia, SC

Macie Spigner

Irvine, CA

Joshua Jordan

Kaylin Legacy

Westmont, IL

Lee Gesme

Gabriella Hoeflich

Patrice MacMillan

JSG Named 70th Largest Staffing Firm In The US

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Johnson Service Group, Inc. is proud to announce our inclusion on Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA)’s list of the Largest Staffing Firms in the United States. Ranked by revenue, the report covers firms that generated at least $100 million in US staffing revenue in 2018. This year’s list features 157 companies, with a combined revenue of $90.2 billion and control of 61% of the market. This is JSG’s 6th year in a row being named to this elite list.

“As the US economy enters into a record eleventh year of expansion, our report highlights the breadth and depth of staffing companies currently operating in the US marketplace,” said Timothy Landhuis, Director of Research, North America at SIA. “Capitalizing on the need for staffing services across all sectors of the economy, we continue to see a multitude of industrial and professional staffing firms sustain impressive revenue levels and achieve further growth.”

Stay tuned for more updates from Johnson Service Group as Staffing Industry Analysts continues to release more of their yearly reports!

Gabriella Hoeflich
Matthew Bennett

HR Highlights: Meet Our New HR Coordinator

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Gabriella Hoeflich

As Johnson Service Group continues to grow in today’s candidate-driven market, we’re building up our staff to better serve our clients, candidates, and internal employees. As a result, we’ve added another new face to our Human Resources team! Please join us in welcoming Gabriella Hoeflich, our newest HR Coordinator!

Tell us a little about yourself.

Hello! I am Gabriella, and I am JSG’s new HR Coordinator. I just graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in Human Resource Management. During my time at ISU, I worked in the Admissions Office and was involved in a few organizations. After my graduation, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Romania for 17 days. I am very excited to begin my career in Human Resources!

What made you want to go into a career in Human Resources?

Right before I began my college applications, I knew I wanted to major in something related to business, but I was not exactly sure which field. I started to think about my work experience in high school and the interactions I had with the HR department. I was interested in what they did, and I decided to pursue Human Resource Management as my major. After taking classes in my program and gaining HR experience from my internship, I knew I made the right choice and wanted to begin my career in a Human Resources role.

What attracted you to Johnson Service Group?

When I was taking a recruitment and selection course at school, the staffing industry became one of the top industries I wanted to have an HR role in. I was also taking a benefits course at this time, so when searching for my first HR role, I wanted an opportunity to work with benefits as well. When I found the HR Coordinator job posting, I was happy to see this was a position with mostly benefit responsibilities for a staffing company. After doing some research on Johnson Service Group, I became even more interested in working here. Everyone here is so welcoming, too!

What will your primary responsibilities be as a member of our HR Team?

As an HR Coordinator, I will have a variety of responsibilities, but most will be with benefits. I will be assisting with insurance and 401(k) administration, payroll, and commuter benefits. I will process enrollments and changes for contract and staff employees, respond to questions regarding benefits, help with open enrollments, update 401(k) plans, and help with other tasks as needed.

What do you like to do for fun outside of work?

Outside of work, I like to spend time with family and friends, watch movies, travel, and go shopping!

Connect with Gabriella on LinkedIn!
JSG, employee spotlight, Jason Kennedy
Patrice MacMillan

JSG Employee Spotlight: Jason Kennedy

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JSG, employee spotlight

Jason Kennedy has been with JSG for over 4 years in our Jacksonville, FL office. In that time, he has grown from a Senior Account Executive to the Director of Client Delivery for our Florida region. Keep reading to learn more about Jason and his career with JSG!

You have a lot of experience working with national accounts. Tell us a little more about that and how you got into staffing.

I got into staffing in 2008 and started as a recruiter. After about six months, I moved to a dual desk (sales and recruiting) role and really enjoyed learning about what it takes from both the client-side and the candidate-side in order to make placements happen. After about a year, I accepted a promotion to National Account Manager/Business Development Manager role and moved my family from Columbia, SC to Jacksonville, FL. Throughout my career, I have been really involved with the clients’ needs to make sure the delivery team has everything they need to be as effective as possible.

I came to JSG because I really liked the entrepreneurial empowerment that the company fosters. JSG enables their offices to maintain true “Single Point of Contact” account management. This includes all client lines of business without geographic limitations. We’ve experienced tremendous growth in Jacksonville and I’m extremely proud to have contributed to that growth.

You’ve been the Director of Client Delivery for almost a year now – what all does that entail?

As the Director of Client Delivery, I’m responsible for the training and ongoing development of our delivery team in the South. My role is to understand our clients and their needs to help JSG’s delivery team place the best talent with those clients. My goal is to bridge the gaps between both sales and recruiting, and clients and candidates to make placements and ensure client satisfaction.

What industries/roles do you specialize in, and what are some of the trends you’re seeing within those spaces?

My background in staffing was always specifically in IT until I got to JSG. Since joining the team, I’ve grown and expanded to engineering and F&A type roles. I’ve really embraced the idea that the more we know about our client’s varying needs, the more we grow as a branch. In Jacksonville, we’ve taken full advantage of the opportunities our clients have afforded us and hope to continue to do so.

We are certainly in the middle of historically low unemployment and it does make it more challenging to find the right candidates for our clients. Our office accommodates this by having the best possible understanding of our candidate’s motives when presenting them to a hiring manager. As a result, we ask lots of questions, listen to what our candidates tell us, and follow solid processes. This allows us to find the best, most interested, most locked-in candidates. When you know what motivates and drives a candidate’s interest, it ensures that they will be fully engaged throughout the entire hiring process.

What are some of your professional goals for the remainder of 2019?

The Jacksonville team is at our highest headcount ever, and I would love to continue that growth through the rest of the year! We’re striving to hit all-time highs in headcount, revenue, and profitability.

What are you passionate about outside of work?

Outside of work, I’m most passionate about my family. I love spending time with my kids and wife! I also follow college football pretty closely, especially the USC Gamecocks!

Connect with Jason on LinkedIn!
JSG Employee Spotlight: Thomas Zetusky
Patrice MacMillan

JSG Employee Spotlight: Thomas Zetusky

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JSG Employee Spotlight: Thomas Zetusky

Thomas Zetusky has been with Johnson Service Group for over 2 years, and in that short time has made a tremendous impact on our organization! As a Recruiter out of our Haddon Heights, New Jersey office, Thomas plays an integral part in placing qualified candidates with our great clients. Keep reading to learn a little bit more about Thomas and his career at JSG.

You were recently promoted from Account Coordinator to Recruiter – congrats! Tell us a little bit more about this transition.

The Account Coordinator role has always been in the background of the recruiting process. This made for a really easy transition because I knew exactly what to expect. Starting in an Account Coordinator role also allowed by to create relationships early on. So after the promotion, it was easy to build off of that!

What made you decide to get into recruiting?

I came from the banking world and just got to a point in my career where I knew I wanted something different. Lucky for me, JSG was hiring! I knew right off the bat that I would like that every day was different, so you never know what to expect.

What do you enjoy most about being a recruiter?

As I mentioned before, it’s always different. Throughout the years, I’ve learned a lot about various positions and industries. I really enjoy learning more in-depth about what different people do. I’ve found that every moment is a teaching opportunity. I’m always learning how to help companies grow, expand my business, how to be a better communicator, etc.

What recruiting trends have you noticed throughout the market lately?

One of the trends that we’re seeing lately is that companies seem to be leaning toward offering more contract-to-hire opportunities. It’s been cool to learn about the benefit that offers clients, from being able to “try before you buy,” flexible hiring options, and more.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Outside of work, I am definitely a hands-on person – I do a lot of woodwork outside work like landscaping. I also enjoy a great game of golf!

Connect with Thomas on LinkedIn!
manufacturing trends
Matthew Bennett

Manufacturing Industry Trends in 2019

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manufacturing trends

With the implementation of new technologies and processes in the manufacturing industry, some are even labeling this era as the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The integration of AI and the Internet of Things is revolutionizing the modern workplace. Processes are changing; manufacturers are looking for ways to cut costs, and more jobs are being created every day. In today’s ever-changing workplace, here are three manufacturing trends to watch in the second half of the year.

There’s a labor shortage

In a tight labor market, it’s becoming more and more challenging to find talent in the labor and manufacturing industry. At the end of 2018, there were 508,000 manufacturing job openings – the most significant gap in nearly 20 years. And this predicament isn’t going away in 2019.

Last month, manufacturing employment gained 17,000 workers. So far this year, monthly manufacturing job gains have averaged 8,000 jobs or a total of 48,000 jobs in 2019. Moreover, there was a total of 12.9 million manufacturing jobs as of June 2019. This proves that the manufacturing industry continues to create jobs. Yet with an unemployment rate of 3.7 percent, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for employers to find and retain talent.

There’s a skills gap

Despite the creation of hundreds of thousands of manufacturing jobs, there is a skills gap within the industry. There is an expanding gap between vacant positions and the qualified candidates capable of filling them. Between 2018 and 2028, the skills gap is estimated to leave approximately 2.4 million jobs unfilled.

Due to the increasing implementation of technology in the workplace, some jobs are being eliminated or changed. However, many manufacturers are combating this by training their existing staff. Employers are retooling their team and helping them develop new skillsets, and thus, transitioning them into new roles.

Companies are going lean

Lean manufacturing has been around since the 1980s. However, it has been continuously gaining popularity with manufacturing organizations around the globe. Essentially, lean manufacturing is the process of minimizing waste within manufacturing processes. As manufacturers continue to find ways to shed waste, more employers are covering the costs for their employees to receive certifications, such as Lean Six Sigma and Lean Kaizen certifications.

In fact, 55 percent of employers are now helping cover the costs for their employees to earn certifications. That is up from 47 percent in 2016. In other words, manufacturers are investing in their employees. This will ultimately help them become more efficient, and therefore, help improve production.

Get the help you need

As you can see, the manufacturing industry is tighter than it has been in almost 20 years. If your organization needs help navigating the labor shortage in today’s job market, reach out to JSG’s expert team of labor and manufacturing recruiters. We can help you find the talent you need to keep production running smoothly.

Alex Price
Patrice MacMillan

JSG Employee Spotlight: Alex Price

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Alex Price

Alex Price is a Division Lead for our Mining and Heavy Industrial team at Johnson Search Group. Based out of our Spokane office, Alex has been with our team for over 2 years. In that short time, he has been able to establish and grow his career in the recruiting space tremendously. Learn more about Alex and his career at JSG below!

You’ve earned multiple recognitions during your time with Johnson Search Group. What do you think has contributed to your success?

I think the biggest contributor to my success is just being trainable. Prior to joining JSG, I had experience in sales but not recruiting specifically. I was fortunate to join a team with a good Manager who matched my style and a Senior Vice President who trains every day. Coming in with a fresh slate and being coachable has been huge in growing my career!

Your office works a full desk, meaning they coordinate with both candidates and clients. In your opinion, what are the benefits of this approach?

I think the biggest advantage is being able to choose and be selective of the clients I work with. When I handle the client-side, I’m able to identify great companies with strong hiring processes. Recruiting goes hand-in-hand with that. I find candidates that will be a good fit for the clients that I’ve been able to build a relationship with. As a result, this process works really great for anything technical from mining and mineral processing to the more hands-on maintenance side of things.

As a Division Lead for the Mining team at Johnson Search Group, what has your team been experiencing within the industry lately?

We’ve had a record-breaking year so far. This can be contributed to Senior Management and the work ethic throughout the whole mining team. We work together and learn from each others’ experiences, successes, and failures. Therefore, partnering with my team on projects has helped me get involved with other clients and candidates to get a better understanding of the industry as a whole.

What do you enjoy most about working in the Mining industry?

The best thing about the mining industry is the people. It’s great to work with relatable, blue-collar people who are easy to communicate with and have the same goal as you in growing their teams and careers. The fantastic clients I partner with make it even more rewarding to connect them with great candidates. Even the highest-level candidates we work with have a great disposition so working with them is really enjoyable.

What do you like to do for fun?

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my fiancé and two dogs. Additionally, I enjoy outdoor activities like fishing!

Connect with Alex on LinkedIn
Sidney Williams
Matthew Bennett

JSG Employee Spotlight: Sidney Williams

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Sidney Williams

Sidney Williams is a Business Development Manager at JSG. He works out of our Calabasas, CA office and has been with JSG for nearly three years. During this time, Sidney has made a tremendous impact on our company. Keep reading to learn more about Sidney and his exciting career!

Tell us a little about your career and how you found your way into the staffing industry

I started my career in sales as a Financial Services Representative at First Tennessee Bank while I was attending The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. That’s where I got my first experience with business development and inside sales, and I developed a knack for sales. However, I migrated into recruiting with Tennessee Valley Authority in 2011, where I received a lot of experience with recruiting on the corporate side. Then, my wife and I moved to California several years later, and in September 2016, I began working at JSG as a Technical Recruiter.

While working as a Recruiter at JSG, I had the opportunity to go on several client visits and helped close a few deals. That’s when I realized my passion was in sales and decided I wanted to reignite my sales career. I approached Jim Beckley, our Senior Vice President, about transitioning into a sales position. In March of 2018, I officially became a Business Development Manager in our Calabasas office.

You started at JSG as a Technical Recruiter and now your role has shifted to business development. How has that transition been for you?

I’ve now been a Business Development Manager for a year-and-a-half at JSG. The transition has been very smooth, thanks to my background in sales. Our office has broken several revenue records and I am enjoying the return to my roots in sales.

What’s different about recruiting in a corporate environment compared to working in the staffing industry?

Corporate recruiting is more so farming than hunting, so-to-speak. However, in the staffing industry, you get to do hunting and farming. In other words, I have the opportunity to go out and search for talented candidates to fill open positions my team is working on. I enjoy sourcing candidates and helping them change their lives and career paths. It’s a very rewarding feeling when you help a candidate find a great job opportunity and help your client fill a critical role in this tight market.

What are some of the trends or challenges you and your team faced in the staffing industry in the first half of 2019?

Today’s market is extremely competitive, especially in California. The market in California is approximately 30 percent saturated with staffing firms. So, many of our clients and other employers in the California market are relying on staffing firms to source much-needed talent. To overcome this, my team and I must continue to differentiate ourselves and JSG from the competition; we must illustrate how we can offer customized staffing solutions for each of our clients.

What markets or industries do you mostly partner with?

Our team in Calabasas specializes in a few areas. Aviation and aerospace have been key for our team. We also recruit heavily in the manufacturing and IT markets, and over the last few months, we’ve seen an uptick with fiber optics organizations.

Tell us a little about what you like to do outside of work

I am a young man with an old soul. I like to do anything that is essential to the soul, including cooking, working out, and traveling. In my free time, I volunteer with a couple of youth programs as a mentor. My wife and I also host a marriage podcast and it’s been experiencing some exciting growth.

Connect with Sidney on LinkedIn