Online Community

ASA Central

A dynamic online community for ASA members to exchange ideas and best practices, and connect with industry peers in their sector. Visit the site ›
Find Goods & Services

ASA Marketplace

This powerful online resource enables staffing companies to find and access industry supplier information, products and services. Visit the site ›
Daily Publication

Staffing Today Newsletter

Your #1 daily source for news about the workforce industry. With versions available to members and nonmembers. Visit the site ›
Health Care Reform

Affordable Care Act Resources for Staffing

Up-to-date news, resources, interactive tools, and more—all focused on helping ASA members comply with the ACA. Visit the site ›
Advertisers & Exhibitors

Staffing Industry Suppliers

ASA has numerous and diverse marketing opportunities available to help you reach the rapidly growing staffing industry. Visit the site ›
Exclusive Products

ASA Store

From certification packages and study guides to marketing tools and data reports, ASA resources add value to your business. Visit the site ›

Unemployment Is Falling Everywhere Except the Northeast. Why Is That?

Washington Post (10/20/12) Bradford Plumer

According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment is falling in 41 states—but unemployment in the Northeast U.S. appears to have been getting significantly worse over the past year. The Northeast unemployment rate has risen from 7.9% in April to 8.5% this past September:

Among the theories as to why this is occurring is that the Northeast has been hit harder by the slowdown and debt crisis in Europe than anywhere else. The Northeastern U.S. exports more to Europe than any other region. Manufacturing has shrunk more rapidly in the region than anywhere else in the country this year. And the already-shrinking financial sector in New York and Connecticut has been battered by the euro zone’s debt crisis.

Meanwhile, the South has benefited greatly from oil and gas production. The West is buoyed by growth in technology firms, and the Midwest has the most diversified export markets. The housing market has been slower to recover in the Northeast than in the rest of the country, based on the latest data on home sales and prices. Also, states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut are all seeing a sharp cutback in public sector employment.

Reports: 1 Million Jobs are Imperiled

Philadelphia Inquirer (10/22/12) Joyce M. Rosenberg

Researchers at George Mason University and Chmura Economics and Analytics say more than 956,000 small business jobs could be lost if Congress fails to stop $109 billion in budget cuts slated for Jan. 2. However, lawmakers will wait until after the November election to discuss the issue of sequestration, forcing companies to pull back on hiring and reduce spending in the meantime. The estimate of job losses includes federal agencies and government contractors, as well as businesses that benefit indirectly.

ECI Acquires Talent Force

Employment Staffing News Release (10/15/12)

Employment Control Inc. has acquired Talent Force in Memphis, TN, with the support of its financial partners, Harbert Mezzanine Partners and Claritas Capital. This is ECI’s second transaction in nine months as the company continues its strategy of organic and acquisitive growth in the mid-South and Southeast. Talent Force, established in 1986, provides staffing services to top employers in Memphis and the surrounding areas. Employment Control, headquartered in Shelby, NC, operates through the Employment Staffing Inc. and Temporary Professionals Inc. brands with 15 branches and three on-site locations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and Maryland.

Order Today: ASA Tool Kit Makes Certification Study Engaging

If you prefer interactive learning strategies, the ASA Certification Prep & Practice Tool Kit is just what you need. Staffing professionals who are preparing for the ASA Certified Staffing Professional™ or Technical Services Certified™ exam now have access to this engaging, multimedia learning resource—designed to complement the materials that are included in the current certification exam package.

The ASA Certification Prep & Practice Tool Kit features four modules with corresponding recordings and instructional slides that cover the main areas of the certification exams. Learn more about the new tool kit and listen to sample recordings at americanstaffing.net, where you can also purchase this interactive resource for individual or group study.

Being an ASA member means you get a deep discount on the tool kit as well as many other valuable professional development materials. Join ASA today and starting reaping your membership benefits, including FREE ASAPro Webinars.