Anything but temporary-Staffing agency grew to 6 offices, $35M in sales jobs for the taking

By MICHELLE HOPEY

When he started out in the staffing business 20 years ago, Joseph Donahue's career looked as temporary as the jobs he was trying to fill He barely survived the first year working out of his mother's basement, ending up with a $600 profit Last month, Quincy-based Microtech Staffing Group celebrated its 20th year in business and opened another office; this one in Miami, Fla Its annual sales are now $35 million and it sends out an average of 1,200 temporary workers daily

Donahue's entrepreneurial skills transformed a long shot into the second largest privately-owned temporary employment agency in New England, second only to TAC

"I didn't give up," Donahue explained "I wanted to start my own business I had good industry knowledge, which helped"

The company has thrived by adapting to the ever-changing job market At first, Donahue, who lives in Hingham, carved out a niche filling temporary jobs in the developing high technology industry When the tech boom went bust, the company shifted "We're expanding into other areas like distribution, South American goods and services, we try to fit what the region needs," Donahue said The company has also expanded to meet the need for workers in financial services, education and healthcare

In 1985, Donahue invested his life savings in his new business As a former operations manager at Honeywell, he knew high-tech businesses were in need of skilled employees Microtech itself employs 25 people and works with 250 companies in any given week, including Medtronics, Reebok, Boston Scientific and EMC

Half of the temporary workers it sends are in search of permanent work and Microtech has found long-term jobs for about one-third of its former temps "We do a lot of temp-to-hire," Donahue said

As a double eagle - he graduated from Boston College High School in 1974 and Boston College in 1978 - Donahue said his Jesuit education helped shape his approach to business He wants his people to succeed

"It is always a point of pride when a company wants to hire permanently one of your temporary staffers," he said

Still, many companies prefer hiring people on a temporary basis, seeing how they do and then signing them onto a permanent job if they fit the bill "A lot of companies want flexibility, Donahue said "A lot want to try out employees before they hire them these days because employees are expensive"

He said the temporary recruiting business may not be the first indicator of economic stability but, "it's a leading indicator We're the first in the recession and the first out"

An estimated 2 percent of the jobs in the United States are held by temporary workers

Donahue is now intent on transforming a firm that once specialized in high tech, engineering and light industry into one that specializes in today's in-demand industries including accounting, education, financial services and health care

"These are the big industries here in Boston," he said "To be successful in this industry, you have to provide a high quality product, know your market and provide good customer service"

In addition to its main office on Hancock Street in Quincy, Microtech has offices in Woburn, Medway, Danvers, Londonderry, NH, and now in Miami