With U.S. unemployment at 3.5% and a growing proclivity among workers to job-hop their way up the success ladder, employers are finding the competition increasingly stiff when it comes to hiring and retaining top-notch workers.

A new initiative from PromoGigs.com and PromoPlacement aims to make it easier for companies in the promotional products industry to attract and keep exceptional talent. On Monday, the firms announced that they’ve entered into a strategic partnership that seeks to be an enhanced conduit for connecting industry peers and employers.

Founded in 2009 and exclusive to the promo space, PromoGigs.com is a job posting web site where listings are aggregated and accepted from suppliers, distributors, reps, industry service providers and affiliated companies. PromoPlacement, meanwhile, is a promo-focused recruiting firm that partners with dozens of distributors and suppliers throughout the country to match the right talent with positions they’ll love and prosper in. The company also works with suppliers and distributors in search of temporary staff via PromoTemps.

Under the partnership, PromoGigs is relaunching its job board in conjunction with PromoPlacement, which was founded in 2014. Both firms will operate independently and maintain separate ownership, continuing to focus on their core missions, but with the benefit of the partnership to augment opportunities for the promo space, executives said.

“We’ll be working closely together to provide basically one source focused exclusively on the promotional products industry,” Tom Carroll (pictured), founder of PromoGigs, told Counselor. “Up until now, each entity has had its own followers. This partnership makes sure that more industry peers are aware of more opportunities, whether searching for a new gig, or hiring for any level position.”

Carroll further explained that the partnership creates a full spectrum of employment services with both organizations, even though each has a distinct focus. He told Counselor: “With PromoGigs, it is the job board for openings and those wanting to post their resume. PromoPlacement will to continue specialize in helping industry managers find and hire the best candidates in the industry with the right skills and assisting with the interview and job offer process. The partnership allows connecting to one source versus reaching out to multiple entities within and outside of the industry.”

Kevin McHargue, CEO of PromoPlacement, said exciting developments lie ahead. “PromoGigs.com is a terrific tool for both hiring managers and job seekers, and we’re dedicated to making it the very best it can be,” McHargue said.