The best temp agency in Calgary can be very helpful when it comes to helping you improve on some skills while also earning enough money for a living. And today, that’s exactly what we’re talking about.
Aside from a list of the best Calgary-based temp agencies, we also listed the factors you should consider when choosing one. We also answered some questions to clear any misconceptions you may have about temp agencies.
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How Much Do Temp Agencies Charge
Since temp agencies work by finding people a valid source of income, they usually don’t have upfront costs. Instead, they can usually take 15%–30% as commission.
But don’t worry, because employers usually pay this commission. So, for example, you’re promised to earn $20 per hour, you’ll still receive this but the temp agency, who may take 30% of your commission, will receive $26 per hour from the employers.
The Best Temp Agencies in Calgary
Here are the best temp agencies that can give you a job placement in no time! Some of these agencies also offer full-time and permanent work, so just go ahead and choose which agency can give you the best form of success.
1. TIPS Personnel
| INDUSTRIES | Warehouse, restoration, asbestos, construction |
| WEBSITE | https://www.tipsstaffing.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 324 39 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 1X6 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | (403) 216-0030 | [email protected] |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday – Friday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
TIPS Personnel is a nationwide agency with main locations in Calgary and Edmonton. Since it has connections with numerous employers, it can offer in-town, out-of-town, and remote work opportunities.
These work opportunities can be part-time, day-to-day, and even full-time. Aside from these varied options, TIPS Personnel also offers jobs in several industries, so its clients can get jobs in warehouse, restoration, construction, and other on-demand industries.
Because it has employer clients based outside Calgary, TIPS Personnel also conducts over-the-phone and online video interviews in addition to its in-person interviews.
Aside from these great benefits, TIPS Personnel also has a referral program. In this program, previous clients get $100 compensation for each friend they refer that can last over 40 hours with the agency.
Unfortunately, we’ve also read numerous complaints about some unprofessional and rude treatment of clients. Some have also raised issues about the lack of insurance and other health benefits.
Luckily, TIPS Personnel still has good staff members to help out just about any Calgarian looking for work.
Pros
- Referral program
- Online and phone interview options
- Day-to-day to full-time placements available
- Early opening hours
- Nationwide connections
Cons
- Some complaints about rude and unprofessional staff
- Some complaints about lack of insurance and benefits
Customer Reviews
If you’re still having trouble deciding whether or not TIPS Personnel is worth it, these customer reviews can hopefully help you decide:
“I moved to Calgary and a friend recommended me tips personnel as a good temp agency to start working and keep me busy in the meanwhile I looked for a real job, when I went the girls working in there were very welcoming and friendly! Next day they call me to start working! Since that day I worked in the same place and after a few months the company hired me full time position, I couldn’t be more happier. Thank you TIPS , You guys are awesome”—Patricia B
“The most amazing temporary employment agency I’ve ever went to! The ladies you interact with are easy to talk to, kind and always willing to go the extra mile in the services they give. They always go above and beyond to ensure you have enough work, especially in these covid times. There’s nothing worse than being short money in a great time of need, these ladies recognize this and do their best to ensure this doesn’t happen. I’m fortunate to have found TIPS Personnel, they really make a person feel like a human being and not just a number. Thank you TIPS team for being the wonderful people you are. ?”—Eric Dolphin
2. Labour Unlimited
| INDUSTRIES | Construction, warehouse, light industrial |
| WEBSITE | http://www.labourunlimited.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 8330 Macleod Trail SE, Calgary, AB T2H 2V2 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | (403) 263-0671 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday – Friday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
Labour Unlimited is another nationwide temp agency offering a pool of trained individuals for construction, warehouse, and light industrial work.
These industries usually require proper skills training and safety equipment, which Labour Unlimited conveniently provides to its workers. For its training services, Labour Unlimited does safety orientations and WHMIS.
Despite these essential training practices, Labour Unlimited is still prepared for the worst-case scenarios as it provides WCB and WSIB insurance benefits to its workers.
Contractors and employers don’t even have to worry about paying the workers Labour Unlimited provides because the temp agency handles all the payroll services.
All of these services make sure that both parties—employers and employees, alike—receive a positive and collaborative experience. Besides giving temp jobs, this agency also allows employers to hire any temp workers permanently.
However, some employees have cited long hours and challenging environments as some of the company’s cons. Luckily, Unlimited Labour provides excellent support for its clients to make its challenging roles bearable.
Pros
- Provides safety equipment and does safety orientations
- Benefits like health and life insurance, paid holidays, and leaves
- Early opening hours
- Option for temp-to-permanent position upon employer’s discretion
Cons
- Outdated website
- Long hours
- Frequently changing working sites
Customer Reviews
Its previous clients describe Unlimited Labour as considerate, welcoming, and supportive. Here are some of its client reviews to tell you more:
“Rick is your man! Always looking out for his guys and Kristen’s great to talk too! Always a good help for someone in between jobs or just looking for some extra work!”—Malachi Otteson
“This place is easy to acquire quick work paid cash for the day highly reccomend to someone looking to make some extra cash.”—Kris Schuhmacher
“As a temp agency they are very respectful and have consideration for peoples circumstances. They try their best to get you out to work when they can and pay decent wages”
3. Manpower – Staffing & Recruitment Agency
| INDUSTRIES | Finance, accounting, IT, engineering, oil & gas, local service |
| WEBSITE | https://manpowerab.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 240-734 7 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 3P8 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | (403) 269-6936 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
With more than 60 years of experience with employers and job seekers alike, Manpower Staffing is one of the best Albertan temp agencies.
Manpower Staffing caters to a wide variety of industries, from oil and gas industries to local services. It caters to companies in need of extra staff due to project expansions or extended personal leaves from permanent staff.
This means that Manpower usually hires job seekers with specialized skills and experience. So, if you’re looking for flexible options that allow you to utilize your knowledge and skills, Manpower may be your best option.
Aside from temp jobs, Manpower Staffing also provides long-term and permanent positions. It even has options for remote work.
To further equip its employees with necessary skills, Manpower also has training courses concerning safety, driving, handling, and accidents. It also does coaching, leadership programs, and career support services.
For this reason, Manpower has also received numerous awards and a Certificate of Recognition (COR) for Workplace Safety.
Despite all these benefits, Manpower seems to lack when it comes to taking care of its employees as we’ve read reports on late and incomplete payments and disorganized systems.
Pros
- Remote work options available
- Highly specialized yet flexible job opportunities
- Skills training and career support programs
- COR-certified and multi-awarded temp agency
Cons
- Expensive skills training classes
- Some complaints about payroll
- Some complaints about disorganization and miscommunication
Customer Reviews
Customers appreciate the level of professionalism and awareness of Manpower’s staff. Read these reviews to learn more about the temp agency:
“My experiences at this temp agency have been both pleasant and effective. The staff there is quite knowledgeable and usually will go that extra mile to accommodate the unusual which tends to spring up in our lives.”—Jean-Bernard Thesee
“Manpower goes above and beyond.They are kind and extremely helpful in all matters. When I first moved to Calgary, I spent almost an hour on the phone with Robyn, she immediately had me set up with a temporary job. After that brief contract was up, she was able to put me in a place that has now lead to a full time career, very happy with all the help and support I have received.”—Chad Romanuk
4. About Staffing
| INDUSTRIES | Administration, accounting, clerical, finance, HR, IT, management, sales and customer service, manual labour, engineering, manufacturing |
| WEBSITE | https://www.aboutstaffing.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 709 11 Ave SW #200, Calgary, AB T2R 0E3 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | (403) 508-1000 | [email protected] |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
Ever since 1996, About Staffing has been helping job seekers land temporary, temporary-to-permanent, and permanent employment positions in Alberta. It is the best temp agency for those looking for office and light industry workers.
These industries usually require a great deal of skill. So, those with an extensive background may consider About Staffing as their best doorway to utilizing their skills.
About Staffing also has a partnership with Jobshift. This partnership allows the temp agency to help employees nearing the end of their contract or unemployed job seekers who need tools for seamless transitions to new jobs.
As a local temp and employment agency, About Staffing knows just what the employment market is like in Calgary and all of Alberta. It screens resumes and conducts interviews to make sure that only the job seeker with the perfect fit is given the job.
That said, About Staffing’s services seem to focus more on satisfying its partner companies’ needs than on its job-seeking clients.
Pros
- Temporary-to-direct placement
- Highly specialized yet flexible job opportunities
- Partnership with Jobshift
- Diverse industry choices
Cons
- Services are more employer-centric
- Some complaints about limited work opportunities
- Some complaints about poor response and communication
Customer Reviews
About Staffing has been praised by job seekers who went on to get temp jobs and permanent placements alike. Here are just some of its positive reviews to tell you more:
“About Staffing is an excellent temporary staffing company. I have been given the opportunity to learn different software programs, met some new and terrific people and enjoyed the ability to work in a temporary work environment very much.”
“What an amazing organization About Staffing is. Melissa and the staff there are the very best at what they do. Not only did they help me find temp work with their Jobshift program, the team was able to get two more of my family members working temp to permanent!! During these amazingly difficult times of COVID-19, it’s comforting to know that About Staffing has your best interests at heart. Top notch team with stars all around. ?”—Karen Brown
5. A Helping Hand
| INDUSTRIES | Health care, day-labour services, administration, cleaning, hospitality, construction, disaster-relief |
| WEBSITE | https://ahhand.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 3825 34 St NE Unit #113, Calgary, AB T1Y 6Z8 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | (403) 301-0260 | [email protected] |
| OPERATING HOURS | 24-hour booking |
Now, if you’re a professional in the health care industry, then A Helping Hand (AHH) may be where you need to go. As its name suggests, this temp agency is all about social work as it places job seekers into jobs concerning health care, disaster relief, cleaning, and hospitality.
To add to these industries, AHH also has connections with companies in need of quick replacement workers for administrative, construction, or labour-heavy roles.
Since these industries require skilled workers, AHH also does strategic planning, drug testing, and safety training sessions for its clients.
Additionally, AHH works closely with the consulates and embassies to aid foreign workers looking for jobs in Calgary before migrating. So, if you’re fresh from a different country or even city, AHH may be a good option.
But the best thing about AHH is that it never stops with good deeds. It even provides 24-hour booking services.
All clients need to do is choose which area in Alberta or BC they want to work in, and they can then find job postings online. This is mainly because AAH works closely with employers who can post job vacancies on its website freely.
Pros
- 24/7 online booking
- Online job postings
- Open for foreign workers
- Conducts safety training sessions and drug testing
Cons
- Relatively limited industry choices
- Services are more employer-centric
Customer Reviews
Here are some reviews to understand what makes A Helping Hand among the longest-running temp agencies in Calgary:
“We were in a rush and they went out of their way to find us the right staff. There was some turnover, but at the end it all worked out. Great customer service”—Yanilet Carillo
“Professional and punctual, and got the job done. Easy to book A Helping Hand Staffing if your looking for a long term project or just a few days and need labourers, skilled or office workers. Call and book your staff you will not be disappointed.”—Lori Feist
How to Choose a Temp Agency
If you still don’t know how to choose a temp agency from our list, these factors can possibly help you out.
1. Industry
If you want to shift to another industry, then you should also find a temp agency that’s focused or at least connected to your desired industry. Most temp agencies work in the construction, industrial, healthcare, administrative, and IT industries.
Because some agencies are focused on certain industries, you also have to consider whether your skillset fits their requirements.
2. Connections
You should also consider how wide the temp agency’s employer network is. The more connections they have, the more likely they’ll get you hired quickly.
3. Job opportunities
Next, make sure their job opportunities are what you’re looking for. If you’re not willing to move but are willing to get a temp job, you may consider agencies offering remote work.
However, if you think you’d want a long-term solution to your unemployment, you should look for temp agencies that can offer temporarily-to-permanent placements.
4. Benefits
You should also ask around about the benefits temp agencies provide their clients. Here are just some of the benefits you can inquire about:
- Paid leaves
- Vacation and days off
- Health insurance
- Safety training
- Career coaching
How Temp Agencies and Employment Agencies are Different From Each Other
Both temp and employment agencies help companies in need of human resource solutions.
Temp agencies or staffing agencies usually hire employees themselves and assign them to temporary jobs. So, if you join them, you are technically on the temp agency’s payroll and you may have varying assignments from time to time.
On the other hand, employment agencies function much like employment wingmen that are paid either by recruiters or job seekers. They can also help you find a suitable job placement by learning about your skills and personality.
Some employment agencies even provide these services for an overall holistic experience:
- Skills training
- Career track coaching
- Interview and resume-writing guidance
- Filing of employment paperwork
FAQs about Temp Agencies
And that concludes our guide on finding the best temp agency in Calgary. We hope you can find one that lands you a job as soon as you’re ready!
If you have any feedback on your experience with these or other agencies, feel free to share it with us. Your comments can surely help us improve our articles and lists.
While temp agencies can give you jobs, these assignments only last for a certain period. So, if you’re looking for more permanent placements, you can approach the best employment agencies in Calgary for help instead.
