Launching a Large-Scale Workforce During a Labor Shortage

When a long-term client prepared to launch a new facility during the COVID-19 labor shortage, the company faced an urgent need to build a large workforce in an extremely compressed timeframe. With nearly 1,000 positions projected and a limited local talent pool, the client required a staffing partner capable of executing a complex, high-volume hiring strategy while supporting workforce retention from day one.

By combining dedicated onsite management, multilingual support, targeted recruitment marketing, and deep community partnerships, we successfully helped the client launch operations and become the leading staffing contributor among all suppliers in the program.

The Challenge

The client was preparing to open a new location with only a three-month lead time before launch. At the same time, the labor market was experiencing unprecedented disruption due to COVID-19, creating intense competition for talent.

Key Challenges Included:

• The facility required nearly 1,000 workers to support startup operations.
• The local labor market offered a limited pool of available candidates.
• The workforce consisted of multiple language groups and diverse cultural communities.
• Seven staffing suppliers were engaged through the client’s MSP program, creating a highly competitive recruitment environment.
• The client needed not only rapid hiring, but also workforce stability and consistent employee engagement after launch.
• The combination of aggressive hiring goals, labor shortages, and a multilingual workforce required a highly customized workforce solution.

The Solution

To support a successful site launch, we implemented a comprehensive recruiting and workforce management strategy focused on attracting, onboarding, and retaining talent.

Dedicated Client Support Team

We assigned three full-time team members exclusively to support the account, including:

• A multilingual Workforce Ambassador to communicate effectively with diverse candidate populations
• A dedicated On-Site Supervisor responsible for daily workforce oversight and employee engagement
• Additional recruiting support focused on sourcing, onboarding, and workforce coordination

Multi-Channel Recruitment Strategy

Working closely with our Corporate Marketing team, we launched a high-volume recruitment campaign that included:

• Digital recruiting initiatives
• Social media outreach
• Local grassroots marketing
• Community engagement efforts
• Recruiting events and open houses
• Referral-driven hiring campaigns
• Community-based talent sourcing

Recognizing the limitations of the available labor pool, we built a localized recruitment network designed to reach underrepresented candidate populations. This included partnerships with community organizations and refugee support resources that helped expand access to qualified talent while strengthening workforce diversity.

On-Site Workforce Management

Beyond recruiting, we established an on-site presence to support employee engagement, address workforce concerns quickly, improve communication, and enhance retention. This hands-on approach helped create a positive employee experience during a period of significant operational growth.

The Results

The partnership delivered measurable outcomes that helped the client successfully launch and scale the new operation.

Results at a Glance

• Successfully supported the launch of a new facility within a highly competitive labor market
• Placed more than 500 associates, representing the majority of the 700 positions filled to date
• Outperformed all other staffing suppliers combined within the MSP program
• Achieved less than 5% turnover through proactive workforce engagement and onsite support
• Established a workforce infrastructure that continues to support long-term operational success
• Strengthened a partnership that has now exceeded 12 years
• Earned the client’s confidence to support additional locations across the country

Business Impact

The successful launch demonstrated the value of combining high-volume recruiting expertise with dedicated workforce management. By building strong community connections, maintaining an onsite presence, and focusing on employee engagement, we helped the client secure critical talent while achieving exceptional retention in a challenging labor market.