Staffing employment increased during the week of Oct. 13–19, with the ASA Staffing Index growing by 1.1% to a rounded value of 92. Staffing companies cited no one primary factor that hindered growth. Staffing jobs were 2.2% higher compared with the same period last year, up slightly from 2.0% recorded the previous week.

New starts also increased in the 42nd week of the year, up by 1.0% from the prior week. Almost four in 10 staffing companies (38%) reported gains in new assignments week to week, a little below the average of 42% so far in 2025.

The ASA Staffing Index four-week moving average increased from the previous week while holding at a rounded value of 91. Temporary and contract staffing employment for the four weeks ending Oct. 19 was 1.4% higher than during the same period in 2024.

“The staffing industry continues to make steady progress in what is otherwise a sluggish year for the labor market, with the ASA Staffing Index marking its sixth week of positive year-to-year growth,” said Noah Yosif, chief economist at ASA. “Despite economic headwinds, the recent gains forged by staffing companies raise a higher platform to build from in 2026.”

Today is National Mentoring Day—the largest celebration of mentoring in the world, taking place each year on Oct. 27. ASA celebrates the mentors and mentees that have dedicated their time to advancing the industry and who have made ASA Mentor Match a success. Through this program, staffing professionals make valuable connections, define career goals, enhance leadership skills, and gain insights from peers. If you’d like to get involved, sign up by Friday, Oct. 31, for the six-month cycle that begins in January.

Plus, register for tomorrow’s ASA webinar “Mentoring That Works: Building Stronger Mentor–Mentee Relationships,” 2–3 p.m. Eastern time. Seth Stein of Eastridge Workforce Management will discuss how—and why—to build strong mentoring relationships and foster a culture of mentorship.

ASA is currently seeking dedicated members to serve on volunteer committees and councils. Serve on an ASA committee or council in 2026 for your chance to shape the future of staffing while growing your own career. Volunteering takes just a small time commitment but delivers big benefits, new connections, leadership experience, and a direct role in strengthening the industry.

Applications are due next Friday, Oct. 31. Don’t miss your opportunity to join the 2026 ASA volunteer community and make a contribution to the industry. Learn about all the available volunteer opportunities at asacentral.americanstaffing.net.

Last week ASA launched its new E2E Podcast: From Entry Level to Executive, a semimonthly series of in-depth interviews with executives, leaders, and trailblazers who have made an impact in the professional world.

Hear guests share their personal career stories, the decisions that shaped their path, and their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities they face on a daily basis. The first episode—featuring ASA board member Ranjini Poddar, co-founder and chief executive officer of Artech LLC—is available now. Subscribe today for strategies, insights, and inspirational stories shaping the future of staffing.

One of the best ways to grow, personally and professionally, is to step outside your comfort zone. ASA volunteers lead and contribute in so many meaningful ways—developing resources, planning webinars and networking calls, shaping sessions at ASA events, and supporting initiatives like “AI in Staffing” week.

Volunteering is your opportunity to connect with peers, build new skills, and make a lasting impact on the staffing industry. Log in to ASA Central and apply today for 2026 volunteer opportunities.

ASA provides a resource designed for staffing industry professionals interested in improving professionalism within the industry by serving as a mentor to their colleagues—the ASA Mentor Match program. Mentor Match allows members on both sides of the mentoring relationship to make valuable industry connections and gain insight from staffing peers.

Mentors and mentees are matched based on areas of expertise for a six-month period. Submit your application now for the six-month cycle that begins in January—applications are due Oct. 31. Visit americanstaffing.net/mentormatch to get started as a mentor.

Don’t miss your chance to get the staffing and recruiting data you need. The association’s quarterly Staffing Employment and Sales Survey for the third quarter of 2025 is now open.

After completing the survey, you will be able to access an exclusive online report archive, which includes benchmarks for the number of direct hire searches and permanent placements, sector-specific gross margin trends, and payroll and productivity metrics by company size. Register to take the survey at americanstaffing.net/quarterly-survey, and complete the survey by Nov. 21 to get the staffing industry information you’re looking for.

Are you looking to support your colleagues and help advance future leaders in the staffing and recruiting industry—or to boost your career and develop yourself as an emerging leader in the staffing and recruiting industry? Enroll 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 and mentees are matched based on areas of expertise for a six-month period. Applications for the six-month cycle that begins in January are due Oct. 31. Visit americanstaffing.net/mentormatch to get started.

Staffing World^® 2025, the ASA annual convention and expo, wraps up today at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Orlando, FL.

The day began with breakout sessions, which started at 9:30 a.m. and continue until 3:15 p.m., and the Expo Hall will be open until 2 p.m.—featuring ASA Cares LIVE—Pawvana (sponsored by Avionté) from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. along with Knowledge Hub talks (sponsored by Benefits in a Card) and Author Talks at the Staffing World Bookstore.

The final event of the convention will be the Super Session from 3:30 to 5 p.m. featuring keynote presenter Carla Harris (sponsored by ConverzAI) and the presentation of the ASA Care Awards.

Follow all the Staffing World action if you can’t be there in person—connect on social media and check out the #StaffingWorld hashtag to read about attendees’ reactions, see photos, and more.

Staffing World^® 2025 continues today and tomorrow at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Orlando, FL, helping attendees make smarter, faster decisions that can accelerate growth for their firms.

Today the ASA annual convention and expo got started with the Super Session and Staffing Industry Panel Presentation (sponsored by T2 Insurance Solutions), the ASA annual membership meeting, and presentation of the 2026 National Staffing Employee of the Year award (sponsored by PMC Insurance Group). Breakout sessions started at 11:30 a.m. Eastern time and continue through 5:45 p.m., and the Expo Hall—where you can see Knowledge Hub talks (sponsored by Benefits in a Card) and Author Talks at the Staffing World Bookstore—is open until 7 p.m.

Tomorrow, breakout sessions start at 9:30 a.m. and continue to 3:15 p.m., and the expo will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Staffing World concludes with the Super Session featuring keynote presenter Carla Harris (sponsored by ConverzAI) and the presentation of the ASA Care Awards.

Keep up with what’s going on at Staffing World—connect on social media and check out the #StaffingWorld hashtag to learn about what’s happening.