West Valley Staffing Group Cautiously Optimistic on Hiring

By Nicole Zaro Stahl, Hacienda Network Staff Writer

Since its founding in 1968, West Valley Staffing Group has grown into one of the largest privately held staffing organizations in northern California. It has blazed ahead thanks to an unusual approach in the staffing business, centralizing operations in only two locations. The Pleasanton mega-branch, at 5690 Stoneridge Drive, opened 13 years ago.

"Many staffing companies operate with a number of different branches," relates Charlie Allport, the firm's Executive Vice President. "We have chosen the mega-branch model. All specialties are housed in our corporate office in Sunnyvale, and our Pleasanton site is a mirror image on a smaller scale. Both offices have all capabilities."

Those capabilities are both extensive and diverse. West Valley supplies staffing for "the entire spectrum of specialized personnel," Allport notes. Its areas of expertise are reflected in four different business units. West Valley Engineering offers all levels of engineering, technical, scientific, and light industrial personnel. West Valley Technology provides software and IT professionals. Prostar Staffing handles administrative and clerical needs. Accountants Now! focuses on accounting and finance personnel in a wide range of industries.

"We provide complete contingent workforce management, including payroll services, project management, onsite services, 1099 audit for compliance, and a myriad of other customized services. If it has to do with staffing, WVSG has the answer." he explains.

Along with diversity in job categories and services, another key to West Valley's longevity is the relationships it builds with clients. "Our client relationships help to keep us up-to-date and current on the latest cutting-edge technologies,"observes Allport. "There is a tremendous amount of information that needs to be shared when putting people to work."

The firm also shines when it comes to vetting candidates. "All candidates are personally interviewed and screened by our recruiting team. Automated testing enables us to evaluate skills in literally hundreds of areas. We are talking to some of the brightest people with the most up-to-date skills who are looking to be involved in cutting-edge technology. We do lots of reading, but we also learn a lot from the industry."

Asked if the firm is doing business differently under today's difficult economic conditions, Allport pauses for a moment and then replies, "The same things that run through most businesses apply here: You have to have a high degree of customer service. Customers have high expectations. Our services are only as valuable as our ability to meet those expectations."

On the current employment market, Allport comments, "Since early fall 2009 we've seen steady improvement in all business units and we expect this to continue in 2011." While the highest demand appears in software, information technology, and engineering, the upward trend is visible across the board. The ability to use high-end professionals for specific projects gives customers "extreme flexibility," but many companies bring on contract personnel with the hope of eventually converting them to direct hire.

"Silicon Valley and the surrounding areas are constantly reinventing themselves," Allport remarks. "It is an exciting place to be."

For more information, visit WestValley.com.

Photo: Charlie Allport expects to see continued improvements in the economy in 2011.

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