An initiative that helps military spouses enter the information technology field, a program that trains health workers to assist local communities, and a partnership with a local high school that offers pathways to careers headline the top job training programs recognized by the American Staffing Association’s 2024 Elevate Awards.

Since 2018, the Elevate Awards have recognized the most outstanding, innovative, and effective work-based learning programs that train, reskill, and upskill temporary and contract talent. According to the World Economic Forum, only half of workers are seen to have access to adequate job training opportunities, an ongoing problem in the labor market.

“Across the country, staffing agencies are stepping up to provide job training to America’s workforce,” said Richard Wahlquist, chief executive officer at the American Staffing Association. “As technology and automation are changing the required skill sets across most occupations, job seekers in need of upskilling and reskilling opportunities are finding that staffing agencies will be there to help every step of the way.”

See the full list of winners at americanstaffing.net.

Staffing World^® 2024 takes place next week. The ASA annual convention and expo, which this year happens Oct. 22–24 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, TN, is the industry’s largest, most powerful learning and networking event. ASA-certified professionals can earn up to 24 continuing education hours when they attend the various preconvention programs, sessions, and Knowledge Hub presentations.

Get the details about the more than 40 educational sessions in four focused learning areas, the industry’s largest expo, and more—then register at staffingworld.net. Plus, save 15% on full registration packages when you bring colleagues from your staffing company.

Are you ready to create your best future alongside the industry’s brightest leaders? Get ready to experience the workforce solutions industry’s premier event in the nation’s top music destination. Staffing World^® 2024 takes place Oct. 22–24 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, TN.

At the ASA annual convention and expo you can be part of the staffing and recruiting industry’s biggest, most comprehensive learning and networking event, plus you can explore the attractions of Music City. Whether you’re a music lover, a foodie, a history buff, or the outdoorsy type, Nashville has something for you.

Go to staffingworld.net to learn more and register for Staffing World.

Forty percent of U.S. workers say their current debt is influencing their career decisions, according to the latest ASA Workforce Monitor^® survey commissioned by ASA and conducted online by The Harris Poll in August 2024.

When asked if their current debt (including mortgage, credit card, student loan, and medical debt) was influencing their career decisions, 73% of U.S. workers said they have debt and of those four of 10—including 50% of Gen Z (ages 18–27), 54% of Millennials (ages 28–43), and 42% of Gen X (ages 44–59)—said it is influencing their career decisions. In addition, 28% of U.S. workers are worried about being laid off before the end of the year; 37% of Gen Z and 35% of Gen X and Millennial workers expressed concern over their job security for the remainder of the year, compared with only 11% of Baby Boomer workers.

“Debt is playing a major role in shaping the lives and career paths of America’s workers,” said Richard Wahlquist, chief executive officer at ASA. “Increased levels of personal debt results in unhealthy levels of stress, damaged credit scores, limited mobility in the job market, reduced quality of life, and reduced prospects for the future for a growing number of individuals and their families.”

In just two weeks, Staffing World 2024 will bring together leaders in the staffing community to make strategic connections; learn about new developments; and get solutions for overcoming present challenges, capitalizing on opportunities that lie ahead, and creating your best future.

This year’s ASA annual convention and expo takes place Oct. 22–24 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, TN. Check out the Staffing World Advance Program for details about the learning opportunities—more than 40 sessions in four focused learning areas—then register at staffingworld.net. Already registered? That means colleagues from your staffing company automatically save 15% on their full registration packages.

The industry’s most powerful learning and networking events THRIVE Live and Staffing World® 2024 take place in just three weeks in Nashville, TN.

THRIVE Live at Staffing World, Oct. 21–22, presented by the ASA Women in Leadership interest group, features inspiring speakers, such as keynoter Shelley Paxton, a self-described corporate rebel and former Harley-Davidson executive. Paxton and others will share growth strategies that have propelled their careers and positioned them for continued success. See the exciting lineup for this wildly popular event and secure your spot today.

As THRIVE Live wraps on Oct. 22, the largest convention and expo in the staffing and recruiting industry begins. Staffing World 2024, Oct. 22–24, kicks off that afternoon and will deliver the strategies, connections, and solutions staffing companies need to fill the gaps and position their businesses for growth in the months and year ahead. Download the Staffing World Gaps Analysis Worksheet to see exactly how sessions will address the gaps staffing firms need to address. See all the details at staffingworld.net and register today.

In less than three weeks, the best and brightest minds in the staffing and recruiting industry will converge in Nashville, TN, for Staffing World 2024. The ASA annual convention and expo is where thought leaders, subject matter experts, problem-solvers, and innovators come together to learn from each other, demo new products, and access the information, connections, and ideas they need to move their companies forward—especially as economic trends begin to shift.

“It’s been a challenging year for the staffing industry, which is why it’s nonnegotiable to network and learn from experts at Staffing World. Together we can combat challenges and equip our teams to make more profitable business decisions,” says Joanie Bily, chief workforce analyst for Employbridge. Bily and her company colleagues will be in Nashville to maximize their Staffing World experience and take advantage of the 40+ sessions, roundtable discussions, Tech Talks, keynote presentations, and more in these four focus areas:

• Leadership & Growth: Strategies to scale your business and cultivate a growth-focused culture.
• Operations & Management: Insights on cost-saving technologies and compliance updates.
• Recruiting & Talent Management: Techniques to attract and retain top talent in competitive markets.
• Sales & Business Development: Innovative methods for growth, effective sales strategies, and best practices for leveraging data.

Need to prove to your company leadership that Staffing World is a valuable investment? Download the Gap Analysis Worksheet, which connects Staffing World sessions directly to right-now challenges for staffing and recruiting companies. And remember: If someone from your staffing firm has already purchased a full registration package, you automatically receive 15% off your full registration package.

Register for Staffing World to ensure you and your company thrive in 2025.

Are you looking to support your colleagues and help advance future leaders in the staffing and recruiting industry? Enroll as a mentor in the ASA Mentor Match program. Mentor Match allows members to make valuable industry connections, define career goals, and gain insight from staffing peers. The goal of the program is to help members grow professionally and network with fellow ASA members.

Mentors are matched with a mentee based on areas of expertise for a six-month period. Applications for the six-month cycle that begins in January will be accepted through Oct. 31. Visit americanstaffing.net/mentormatch to get started.

The agenda for this year’s ASA annual convention and expo has been carefully designed to align with your firm’s strategic goals and address the key gaps in your business. If you’re not sure you can afford the time or budget for Staffing World^® this year, check out the agenda to see how Staffing World will fill gaps and pay dividends for your business in 2025 and beyond. You can also download the new Staffing World Gap Analysis Worksheet to help you match sessions to your greatest areas of need.

Join your peers this month at Staffing World, Oct. 22–24 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, TN. Register today for the best rates available.

U.S. staffing companies employed an average of almost 2.2 million temporary and contract workers per week in the second quarter of 2024, according to data released today by the American Staffing Association—down 44,000 jobs from the first quarter of 2024. Staffing sales reached a total of $31.0 billion in the second quarter of 2024, marking a 1.6% decline from the first quarter and a 13.8% decline from the previous year. As seen in 2023, this contraction bucks the seasonal trend of consistent sequential growth within the staffing industry from the second to fourth quarters of the year. Private staffing companies remain cautious about the future, expecting their fourth quarter revenue to be essentially flat (a median -0.4%) year-to-year, and their full year 2024 sales to be down a median 3.2% compared with 2023.