Move Over Manufacturers; Soft Tech Is Dominating Hard Tech

Aug 11, 2016: SUNNYVALE, CA (August 11, 2016) – The rising demand of the soft tech industry in social media and internet related positions are overturning the need for the hard tech manufacturing jobs such as electronic and computer related fields.

According to the California Employment Development Department (EDD), “In a year-over-year comparison (June 2015 to June 2016),…employment in California increased by 461,100 jobs (up 2.9 percent).”

Each quarter, West Valley Staffing Group (WVSG) surveys a wide range of Silicon Valley hiring managers about their upcoming hiring needs. The hiring managers come from many different industries, including high tech, manufacturing, electronics, finance, semiconductor, medical, aerospace, alternative energy, and more. Each participant is asked, "Do you expect your hiring needs to increase, remain steady, or decrease in the future?" This survey is unique and exclusive to Silicon Valley!

Over one thousand hiring managers were surveyed this quarter, with 93% predicting a hiring increase or expecting to remain steady during the third quarter of 2016. Only 7% of hiring managers expect their hiring needs to decrease.

“Although Silicon Valley has seen a tremendous rise in jobs for ‘soft’ tech gurus,” said Charlie Allport, Executive Vice President of WVSG, “it has also come with a difficult cost to the ‘hard’ tech manufacturing gurus.”

The tech industry is a driving influence for Silicon Valley, especially the booming ‘soft’ technology field. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the surge in employment opportunities continues to rise. While the economy’s growth signifies promise for another thriving quarter, the rapid growth of the ‘soft’ tech industry is shifting demand away from the ‘hard’ tech manufacturing positions and creating other new and exciting opportunities.

For additional information about the economic data above, or to participate in future Silicon Valley Economic Surveys, call us at 408.735.1420, or visit us online at www.westvalley.com.

West Valley Staffing Group (WVSG), an independent and privately owned staffing agency, brings nearly 50 years of experience providing comprehensive staffing solutions - through four specialty companies. Established in 1968 as West Valley Engineering, the company was one of the first in the valley to offer temporary technical services to Silicon Valley companies. In 1984, Prostar Staffing was founded to provide clerical and administrative personnel to the growing number of companies in the area. In 1995, West Valley Technology and Accountants Now! were founded to satisfy the demand for specialized information technology and accounting professionals, respectively. Today, all four specialty companies fall under the umbrella organization, WVSG, which has offices in Sunnyvale, Pleasanton, and beyond.

If you would like more information, or to schedule an interview with the President and CEO of WVSG, Mike Williams, please contact Mary Tran at mtran@westvalley.com.

West Valley Staffing Group conducts extensive research on hiring and employment trends through our ongoing surveys of executives and hiring managers. Please contact Mary Tran for more information:

West Valley Staffing Group
390 Potrero Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94085

Media Contact: Mary Tran
(408) 735-1420 ext. 3023
mtran@westvalley.com