Consolidation gains momentum in Poland’s temporary employment sector

Poland’s labour market has been evolving rapidly in recent years under the influence of demographic shifts, economic conditions and changing expectations from both employers and employees. Amid this transformation, the temporary employment, recruitment and process outsourcing sector is experiencing a noticeable wave of consolidation. This trend is reshaping the industry’s structure and serving as a strategic pathway for growth for dynamic players such as the Opteamic Group, a comprehensive provider of process outsourcing services.

The roots of Poland’s HR industry stretch back to the economic changes of the 1990s, when the first private employment agencies began to appear. Many of these early enterprises developed into locally run, often family-owned businesses that built their reputations through organic growth and client trust. However, these agencies are increasingly facing significant obstacles to further expansion, including limited financial and operational resources, succession challenges, and intensifying competition. Within this context, consolidation appears to be a natural next step in the sector’s maturation.

Jakub Kizielewicz, President of the Management Board of the Opteamic Group, notes that the fragmented nature of the sector makes it ripe for integration. He emphasises the value of combining experience, know-how and operational capacities across different organisations. For Opteamic, which has prioritised professionalising process outsourcing since its inception, growth through acquisitions is now a logical progression.

For smaller agencies, becoming part of a larger entity can offer solutions to pressing issues such as succession planning, monetising years of built-up value, and navigating the demands of digital transformation. Many local agencies are struggling with the lack of a next generation to take over or with implementing modern technological solutions. Opteamic places significant emphasis on ensuring smooth integration during acquisitions, aiming to protect local identities and maintain client trust while building larger, more capable structures.

Consolidation, Kizielewicz explains, is ultimately about boosting service quality and operational efficiency. With Poland’s shrinking labour pool and increasing challenges in recruiting skilled workers, larger employment and outsourcing groups are better positioned to invest in technology, refine service processes, and support the integration of foreign workers into the workforce.

Data from Eurostat indicates that the proportion of immigrants in the working-age population across Europe will grow over the next quarter-century. For Poland, this means greater openness to foreign labour, which brings its own set of challenges, including handling residence permits, recognising qualifications, and facilitating cultural integration. Smaller, local agencies often lack the resources or expertise to manage these complex issues effectively.

Kizielewicz underscores that skills such as foreign worker support, soft skills, and flexible employment models are no longer optional but essential for survival in today’s market. He believes that consolidation allows agencies to pool resources and jointly invest in developing these capabilities, enabling them to serve key sectors such as industry, logistics and commerce more effectively.

Integrated organisations not only benefit from broader candidate pools and modern recruitment tools but also possess more advanced operational and technological infrastructure. For clients, this translates into quicker responses to staffing needs, reduced risks of labour shortages, and more predictable partnerships. From the perspective of job seekers, larger firms offer more employment opportunities, better support during recruitment and onboarding, and greater transparency around employment conditions.

Across the market, there are numerous agencies that have operated successfully for years but are now seeking reliable partners to ensure stable growth. Some are looking for technological support, while others need assistance with marketing or expanding their sales operations. Opteamic, with a solid foundation and clear strategic direction, has expressed its openness to exploring potential partnerships and acquisitions.

Kizielewicz stresses that Opteamic is not solely driven by acquiring businesses for growth’s sake but is focused on finding synergies with partners who share a commitment to quality, scalability and a collaborative approach toward both customers and employees.

Looking ahead, it appears likely that consolidation in Poland’s temporary employment agency market will continue, not out of pressure, but driven by the need for growth, the impact of demographic changes and the evolution of employment models. In this landscape, joining forces is increasingly viewed not as a loss of independence but as the beginning of a new phase of development for the industry.