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 ›

BLS: Staffing Job Growth Strong in March

Seasonally adjusted employment data released Friday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that staffing firms added 20,300 new jobs from February to March (up 0.8%). In a year-to-year comparison, temporary help employment for the month was 6.4% higher than in March 2012.

Nonseasonally adjusted BLS data, which estimate the actual number of jobs in the economy, indicate that the staffing industry added 55,100 new jobs (up 2.2%) from February to March of this year. On a year-to-year basis, there were 6.8% more staffing employees in March than in the same month last year.

Overall U.S. nonfarm payroll employment increased by 88,000 jobs in March, the lowest rate of job creation in nine months. The job gains were far lower than many economists’ predictions, which suggested payroll additions for March would be around 200,000 new jobs.

“It continues to be a very tough employment market in most parts of the country,” says Richard Wahlquist, president and chief executive officer of the American Staffing Association. “Job seekers need to have multifaceted employment search strategies in place that include speaking with local staffing and recruiting firms about their job prospects.”

Employment growth was mostly driven by new job creation in professional and business services (+51,000), health care (+23,000), construction (+18,000), and leisure and hospitality (+17,000). Approximately 40% of employment growth in professional and business services was driven by new jobs created in the temporary help industry. Job losses were noted in retail trade (-4,000) and within government (-12,000).

The overall U.S. unemployment rate edged down from 7.7% in February to 7.6% in March.