Engineering Workers Confident in Economy, But Concerned About Jobs

ATLANTA, Feb. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Randstad Engineering Employee Confidence Index, a measure of overall confidence among U.S. engineers, bounced back in the fourth quarter of 2012 to 57.8, increasing by 3.4 points. This marks the first increase in the past three quarters of 2012. The quarterly study, conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Randstad Engineering, surveyed 196 U.S. workers employed in the engineering industry in October, November and December of 2012. This quarter finds improving sentiments about the overall economy and in engineers' confidence in their ability to find a new job. However, fewer engineering professionals believe more jobs are available this quarter.

"Modest recoveries within industry sectors in which engineers play a pivotal role, including manufacturing, are helping to revitalize job growth for the profession and improving confidence levels among engineering workers," said Richard Zambacca, president of Randstad Engineering. "In fact, our Index this quarter reflects growing confidence among engineers in the overall strength of the economy, but also the future of their current employer and ability to find a new job. A persistent area of concern for engineers is in the availability of jobs, which declined further in our index this quarter. However, as is the case with many other fields, certain positions within the industry are estimated to grow aggressively in the long and short-term. Industrial engineers and electrical/hardware engineers have demonstrated steady growth in the past year. Additionally, the trade group Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers indicates that one of the fastest growing areas will be in the service industry, such as consulting firms that provide engineering expertise." 

Q4, 2012 Survey Highlights:

Engineering Workers Feel More Confident About the Strength of Economy

• More than one-third (34 percent) of engineering professionals believe the economy is getting stronger, an increase from 29 percent in Q3 2012.  

Fewer Engineers Confident in Job Availability

• Less than one-quarter (23 percent) of engineering workers believe that more jobs are available, representing a decline of four percentage points from the third quarter 2012. Nearly half (42 percent) of engineering workers believe fewer jobs are available this quarter.

Majority of Engineers Remain Confident in Ability to Find a New Job

• Nearly six-in-ten (59 percent) engineers feel confident in their ability to find a new job—an improvement from 53 percent in the third quarter of 2012.

Worker Sentiment about Job Security Remains Strong

• Sixty-eight percent of engineers report they are not likely to lose their jobs over the next 12 months. This is a slight decline from 74 percent indicating so in the third quarter.

Slightly More Engineers Likely to Search for New Employment

• Nearly four-in-ten (38 percent) of engineers say they are likely to look for a new job within the next 12 months, a rise of six percentage points from third quarter 2012.

To view the latest quarterly trends report, click here.

Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Randstad Engineering from October 8-10, November 12-14, and December 11-13, 2012, among 4,738 ages 18 and older, of which 196 are employed in engineering. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact [email protected].

About Randstad Engineering
Randstad Engineering has been matching clients with the expert engineering and technical staff needed to help their companies succeed since 1988. With degreed engineers and expert technical recruiters on staff who understand the unique challenges of your industry, Randstad Engineering partners with companies on their specific business goals by quickly connecting them with the expert professionals to help achieve them. With an extensive network of three million engineers and other technical experts—Randstad Engineering has the right talent to get the job done.

About Randstad
Randstad is a $22.5 billion global provider of HR services and the second largest staffing organization in the world. From temporary staffing to permanent placement to inhouse, professionals, search & selection, and HR Solutions, Randstad holds top positions around the world and has approximately 28,700 corporate employees working from its nearly 4,700 branches and inhouse locations in 40 countries. Founded in 1960 and headquartered in Diemen, the Netherlands, Randstad Holding nv is listed on the NYSE Euronext Amsterdam. Learn more at http://www.randstad.com.   

SOURCE Randstad