'Skills Creation: The Future of Employment' Panel at Davos Showcases Manpower's Research, Insight About Building Post-Crisis Workforce

January 27, 2010 at 12:01 AM EST

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 27, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX News Network/ -- Manpower Inc. (NYSE: MAN) Chairman and CEO Jeff Joerres will today advise business and government leaders on how companies can address a global talent mismatch and do more with less in his remarks as part of a global skills creation panel at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos.

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"In this economic climate, it's not just about finding skilled workers, it's about finding elite talent - the best of the best. The strategic use of temporary workers is the fastest way for companies to stage an immediate post-crisis comeback," said Jeff Joerres, Chairman and CEO of Manpower Inc. "Flexibility is key - for both employers and their workforce. Companies need flexible, agile workers who can constantly adjust and enhance their skills to meet the needs and expectations of workers. Employees expect that same flexibility in return, to advance professionally and pursue their personal lifestyles."

There are plenty of people available for work with the technical qualities needed to do certain jobs, but perhaps they don't have the psychological make-up, critical thinking skills or intellectual curiosity to really move the company forward, according to Joerres' planned remarks for the panel. (Note to editors: the attached diagram shows the anatomy of a Manpower temporary worker in detail, including attributes that will be attractive to employers and employees.)

Earlier this week, Manpower Inc. identified four megatrends that should be top concerns for business leaders around the globe when planning their workforce management strategy throughout the recovery. These tenets will be pillars of Joerres' remarks on the panel skills creation. These megatrends are:

  • The Talent Mismatch is deepening as the working age population declines and the nature of work changes. These significant shifts in talent supply are transforming the global labor market.
  • Individual Choice will be exercised by those with the skills that are most in demand, requiring companies to think differently about how jobs are defined and how they will attract and retain scarce talent.
  • Rising Customer Sophistication requires businesses to work in a new way, driven by innovation and delivering greater value and efficiency.
  • Technological Revolutions have the power to change where, when and how we work, enabling organizations to be more agile and innovative - if they know how to leverage it.

According to Manpower's most recent Talent Shortage Survey, 30 percent of employers across the globe continue to struggle to fill positions available despite the global economic downturn. The top five positions employers are having most trouble filling globally are skilled manual trades people, sales representatives, technicians (technical workers in the areas of production/operations, engineering and maintenance), engineers and management/executives. Manpower surveyed nearly 39,000 employers across 33 countries and territories to gauge employers' ability to find the talent they need.

Joerres and Manpower are members of the Global Agenda Council on the Skills Gap. The panel will be moderated by J. Frank Brown, Dean of INSEAD, France, who co-chairs the Global Agenda Council on the Skills Gap along with Manpower Inc. President of Global Corporate Affairs David Arkless. This panel can be watched via livestream at http://wef2010.unitec-media.tv/index.html. Manpower's 40th World Economic Forum Online Press Kit can be accessed at http://www.manpower.com/press/wef2010.cfm.

About Manpower Inc.

Manpower Inc. (NYSE: MAN) is a world leader in the employment services industry; creating and delivering services that enable its clients to win in the changing world of work. With over 60 years' experience, the $22 billion company offers employers a range of services for the entire employment and business cycle including permanent, temporary and contract recruitment; employee assessment and selection; training; outplacement; outsourcing and consulting. Manpower's worldwide network of 4,100 offices in 82 countries and territories enables the company to meet the needs of its 400,000 clients per year, including small and medium size enterprises in all industry sectors, as well as the world's largest multinational corporations. The focus of Manpower's work is on raising productivity through improved quality, efficiency and cost-reduction across their total workforce, enabling clients to concentrate on their core business activities. Manpower Inc. operates under five brands: Manpower, Manpower Professional, Elan, Jefferson Wells and Right Management. More information on Manpower Inc. is available at www.manpower.com.

SOURCE Manpower Inc.

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