In 2023, new regulations for temporary staffing agency hiring came into effect. The rules still permit the hiring of temporary workers to cover sick leave, parental leave, holidays, and other types of absence. It is also possible to hire personnel with specialised expertise for a clearly defined project. In addition, hiring is lawful by agreement with employee representatives in companies bound by a collective agreement entered into with a trade union with the right to nominate. The regulations make hiring somewhat more complicated than it has been previously.
A challenging start to the career
Emma completed her master's degree in August this year and has been looking for a job since she started her final year of study in Scotland last year. She applied for permanent positions, but was told she doesn't have the experience they're looking for – a situation many graduates find themselves in. How is she supposed to gain the skills and experience all graduates desperately want, if she never gets the chance to try?.
During discussions about new graduates struggling to find their first job, she draws interesting parallels to the Military Academy. Here, they generally prefer to avoid applicants who have already completed their compulsory military service. The reason is simple: they want to shape the soldiers themselves, without the influence of previous experience in the armed forces. Here, Emma makes an important argument for hiring motivated and engaged new graduates – you can shape them however you want, as they are often open and eager to learn. This can yield significant benefits for companies that invest in them.
The paradox of experience – a vicious cycle
When a job application is rejected, you've probably also experienced feedback about a lack of experience, whether you're new to the field or recently graduated. As more people pursue formal education, it's becoming apparent that experience requirements are getting stricter in the job application process across several industries. This is, for example, due to increased competition for the same position, as more candidates qualify. By continuously introducing new regulations for the hiring of temporary staff from recruitment agencies, opportunities for recent graduates and other job seekers to gain the necessary experience that most employers demand are being removed. This will make it even more difficult to enter the job market than it already is.
Engagement as a springboard
When asked about her thoughts on short-term versus permanent employment, Emma explains that now, being young and a recent graduate, she wants to explore the world of work. This is the time for her to figure out what she actually wants to do. The threshold for exploring the job market in a permanent position versus a contract is often higher, as a contract has a shorter duration before one has to try something new again. Additionally, the learning curve is much steeper in a contract, which is perfect for someone who craves new knowledge and new challenges.
It would be a dream scenario if everyone in the country could have permanent employment from the outset. But this is simply not the reality in today's society. And it's not the case that everyone wants permanent employment. Let those like Emma try out different things before she knows what she wants to do for the rest of her life, let her have the opportunity to work in the first place, and let those like us help her with that. Through us, Emma has now secured an exciting role with one of our clients, and she has taken her first important step into her career. Now she finally has the opportunity to use her skills. We are proud to be able to contribute to the start of her journey, and look forward to following her continued development.
