The festive season brings a rise in demand for a diverse range of industries, leading to a substantial increase in hiring across the country. This report delves into the dynamics of workforce demand during this period, overviewing the changing landscape of employment and its implications for both businesses and job seekers.
During the festive season, hiring activity experiences a significant boost, with a remarkable 23% annual increase in hiring across various industries. Especially, the manufacturing sector stands out with an impressive 245% expansion in workforce demand. This is because of both technological advancements and the increasing need for specialized professionals in the sector.
Industry-Specific Insights
The retail and e-commerce sector witnessed a 9% increase in demand for retail workers, including contractors, as both e-commerce and the auto industry required a substantial workforce and they are expecting up to 300,000 individuals to meet the festive rush. With the growing popularity of online shopping and the demand for holiday-themed products, the manufacturing and production sector continues to experience consistent growth. Roles range from production line workers to quality control inspectors and machine operators. With the continued rise of online shopping, the logistics and delivery sector experiences a surge in demand, compelling companies to hire more delivery and, warehouse staff; and customer service representatives to handle the increased volume of deliveries, making these roles highly sought after. Furthermore, the hospitality and food services industry steps up its hiring efforts during the festive season. Food and Beverage Industry require additional staff to efficiently handle the festive times. This increase in demand encompasses roles such as steward, cooks, event planners, bartenders, ensuring a memorable dining experience for customers. Lastly, the travel and tourism sector anticipates a heightened demand for a diverse workforce, including tour guides, operations managers, CRM. This demand is fuelled by festive season tourism, the diversity of travel experiences, also from the people going back to their hometowns and the industry’s unwavering commitment to meeting customer expectations. These collectively contribute to providing exceptional travel experiences during the festive season.
Implications for Business
For a business, effective workforce planning is essential to meet the heightened demand during the festive season. This includes hiring, training, and scheduling temporary or seasonal workers. Temporary employment and partnering with staffing agencies specializing in providing such workers are vital components of staffing strategies. These approaches streamline the hiring process and manage employment logistics, allowing a business to focus on its core operations.
For job seekers, the festive season offers numerous temporary work opportunities across various sectors, providing valuable experience and supplemental income. Many businesses offer flexible scheduling options for temporary workers, accommodating individuals with concurrent commitments. Seasonal employment serves as a platform for acquiring new skills and practical experience, enhancing a candidate’s resume and showcasing their adaptability during high-demand periods.
The festive season in India offers significant economic opportunities for businesses to thrive and for job seekers to find temporary employment, gain experience, and supplement their income. Proper workforce planning is crucial for businesses to gain advantage from the potential of this season, it creates a win-win scenario for both employers and employees.