Since it was acquired last July by Manuel Perez, Milwaukee-based JNA Temporary Services Inc, has hired new workers and increased its clients and the number of workers it sends to those clients.
When Perez purchased JNA, it had about 290 temporary workers in its pipeline. Today, the company has more than 520. The firm has also increased its own full-time employees from 23 to 28, and is looking for at least three employees now, Perez said.
Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Before buying the agency, Perez worked as North American product manager for managed services at Manpower.
JNA is based at 1317 W. Lincoln Ave., on Milwaukee’s near south side. It sends most of its temporary workers to manufacturing-based operations in the Milwaukee area, and has increased its clients to 20 since Perez acquired the firm.
The growth is largely because JNA has changed the way it works with clients, Perez said. The company has created a customizable training program to give workers the skills that clients need, so they show up ready to work on their first day.
“We’re deploying to clients staffing models that are specifically designed to increase labor productivity and decrease production costs,” he said. “The JNA model includes an in-depth review of the needs and skill sets our clients have and it involves deploying training to workers and supervisors where appropriate.”
JNA’s training programs are designed around lean manufacturing principles, to ensure that workers are able to maximize their productivity at the job site. The goal, Perez said, is to have JNA’s temporary workers hired as permanent employees by clients.
“This is the innovation that is driving growth at JNA,” he said. “For our client, we can help increase production and decrease costs and find quality people. As they (clients) grow, they will need more people from us.”
The company recently finished a training program for one of its clients, who needed workers trained in customer service, team behavior, basic math, computer skills and aspects of quality control. Perez declined to name the client.
During the training, those seeking employment attended courses for six hours per day, Monday through Friday, for two weeks. Those being trained were not paid for their time, but were promised a job if they passed a test at the end of the class.
“The next Monday, they have a job as a temporary employee,” Perez said. “And after three to six months, they become permanent employees.”
By taking part in the unpaid training, the potential employees are showing their commitment to their potential employer, Perez said.
The program was a partnership between JNA, United Migrant Opportunity Services (UMOS), Espiranza Unida and Milwaukee Area Technical College, Perez said. JNA is providing planning, financing and coordination to the program, while UMOS is giving access to its Chase Avenue facility, computers, coaching and some child care for participants. MATC has contributed instructors.
Esperanza Unida has pledged assistance for workers who are transitioning from temporary to full time employment, Perez said. One month before they are hired as full time workers, the agency begins helping workers buy a car.
Under the partnership, JNA, UMOS, MATC and Esperanza Unida will supply the client with 40 workers per year. JNA will train those workers in batches of 10 four times during the year.
JNA’s training program evolved because traditional temporary employment models aren’t going to make a long-term difference for most Milwaukeeans looking for jobs through temp agencies, Perez said.
“One of the reasons we’ve grown so quickly is our understanding that the traditional staffing model, used by large, medium and small staffing companies, is fundamentally obsolete, particularly as it applies to the manufacturing sector,” Perez said. “It does not correspond to the realities in the marketplace. It assumes the existence of a qualified work force. There is no focus in increasing production. It focuses too heavily on just sending people and collecting.”
While it is a relatively small company, Perez said JNA’s training program and its business model has high aspirations.
“Another reason we are doing this is that we are committed to economic development and poverty reduction in our local area,” he said. “We realize that in order to increase labor productivity and support manufacturing in Wisconsin, we need an approach that integrates the energy from the private sector with our educational institutions and government.”
JNA Temporary Services Inc.
Address: 1317 W. Lincoln Ave., Milwaukee
Employees: 28
Temporary workers: More than 500
Industries served: manufacturing, light industrial, packaging
Web site: www.jnatemp.com
