A greater percentage of U.S. adults would recommend that graduating high school seniors attend a trade school than would recommend college, according to a new ASA Workforce Monitor^® survey from ASA, conducted by The Harris Poll.

“The time has come to radically rethink how we’re preparing America’s future workforce,” said Richard Wahlquist, chief executive officer at ASA. “Americans are clearly concerned that colleges and universities are failing to equip students with the workplace-relevant skills that employers need. These results underscore the importance of educators, policy makers, and parents coming together now to develop, fund, and support programs designed to prepare young people for the jobs of today and the future world of work.”

The push for vocational and trade school career paths was highest among Baby Boomers (ages 61–79) at 41%, followed by Generation X (ages 45–60) at 37% and Millennials (ages 29–44) at 31%—compared with only 22% of Gen Z (ages 18–28). Gen Z was the only generation to recommend a four-year degree (36%) over attending a trade or vocational school (22%).

Come to Staffing World^® 2025, Oct. 6–8 in Orlando, FL, for insights into today’s biggest staffing challenges. The Staffing World agenda is built to address the latest staffing trends and deliver strategies and real solutions that will accelerate growth.

This year’s sessions tackle the issues that are creating challenges—and, therefore, opportunities—to accelerate growth, including economic shifts, artificial intelligence and automation, differentiation, mergers and acquisitions, and compliance updates. Plus you can see keynote addresses by Olympic champion Katie Ledecky (opening keynote sponsored by World Wide Specialty, a Division of Philadelphia Insurance Cos.) and renowned Wall Street veteran, author, and international speaker Carla Harris, who will present insightful strategies and the inspiration you need to elevate your success in today’s competitive staffing market (closing keynote sponsored by ConverzAI).

Attend the ASA annual convention and expo and you will return with actionable strategies and proven insights from leaders who are doing the work—and seeing the results. Visit staffingworld.net for more information, and register by June 30 for the best rates available.

Are you—or do you know—a woman committed to a career in staffing? The ASA Women in Leadership Scholarship program, launched in 2020 by the ASA women in leadership interest group, recognizes rising stars in the industry with scholarships that cover registration fees for Staffing World^®, the ASA annual convention and expo (Oct. 6–8 in Orlando, FL, this year), as well as THRIVE Live (Oct. 5–6 in Orlando).

The scholarship program aims to raise the visibility of women in the staffing industry. Visit americanstaffing.net to review the eligibility requirements and submit an application. Applications are due June 6.

The ASA women in leadership interest group is sponsored by ASA corporate partners Advance Partners, Bullhorn, and ClearlyRated, and by AdaMarie, Avionté, Marsh McLennan Agency, Mee Derby, Sense, and T2 Insurance Solutions.

ASA provides a resource designed for staffing industry professionals interested in being part of valuable mentoring relationships—and if you’re interested in improving professionalism within the industry by serving as a mentor to your colleagues, the deadline for mentor applications has been extended.

The ASA Mentor Match program allows members on both sides of the mentoring relationship to make valuable industry connections and gain insight from staffing peers. The program is meant to help staffing professionals grow professionally and network with fellow ASA members. Participants are paired based on areas of expertise for a six-month period.

Applications for the six-month cycle that begins in July are due Monday, June 9. Visit americanstaffing.net/mentormatch to get started as a mentor.

Join a community of leading women in staffing—along with their allies and advocates—at THRIVE Live this fall. This year’s event, presented by the ASA women in leadership interest group, takes place Oct. 5–6 in Orlando, FL.

Inspiring and insightful presenters from business and the staffing industry will share lessons they’ve learned and growth strategies they’ve employed to propel their careers and position them for continued success, including

• Angie Bastian (co-founder, Angie’s Boomchickapop), Opening Keynote Presentation—Women’s Leadership & Entrepreneurship
• Michelle Poler (social entrepreneur, keynote speaker, fear facer, and branding strategist), Keynote Presentation—Fear Less; Do More
• Lisa Bragg (author), Activation Session—From Hidden to Heard: Courage, Self-Advocacy, and the Power of Storytelling

Visit americanstaffing.net/thrive to learn more and register. The ASA women in leadership interest group is sponsored by ASA corporate partners Advance Partners, Bullhorn, and ClearlyRated, and by Avionté, Marsh McLennan Agency, Mee Derby, Sense, and T2 Insurance Solutions.

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 are due tomorrow for the six-month cycle that begins in July. Visit americanstaffing.net/mentormatch to get started.

Don’t miss the ASA webinar “Future-Proofing Your Staffing Firm With the Right Technology Strategy.” It takes place today from 2 to 3 p.m. Eastern time. Find out how to leverage technology tools that facilitate seamless communication between recruiters, clients, and talent—from artificial intelligence-driven recruitment processes to creative payment solutions—to attract, engage, and retain talent and to stay competitive. Sponsored by Branch.

All ASA webinars are free for ASA members, and most qualify for continuing education hours toward ASA certification renewal. To learn more and to register, visit americanstaffing.net.

Staffing employment edged down during the week of May 12–18, with the ASA Staffing Index decreasing 0.4% to hold at a rounded value of 84. Staffing companies cited no primary factor that hindered further growth. Staffing jobs were 5.6% lower relative to the same period last year, equivalent to the year-to-year gap observed the previous week.

New starts also edged down in the 20th week of the year, decreasing 1.8% from the prior week. One-third of all staffing companies (34%) reported gains in new assignments week to week, below the average of 42% so far in 2025.

The ASA Staffing Index four-week moving average increased from the previous week to hold at a rounded value of 84. Temporary and contract staffing employment for the four weeks ending May 18 was 5.5% below the same period in 2024.

“Despite minor turbulence, staffing employment has experienced a steady ascent throughout 2025,” said Noah Yosif, chief economist at ASA. “A modest rise in the four-week moving average coupled with steady weekly levels of employment suggest the industry is gradually regaining its footing despite a challenging economic landscape.”

This week will be used in the May monthly employment situation report scheduled to be issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics June 6.

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 platform. Mentor Match allows members on both sides of the mentoring relationship to make valuable industry connections and gain insight from staffing peers.

Or if you’re looking for help developing yourself as an emerging leader in the staffing and recruiting industry, you can enroll as a mentee. Participants are paired based on areas of expertise for a six-month period.

Submit your application now for the six-month cycle that begins in July—applications are due May 31. Visit americanstaffing.net/mentormatch to get started as a mentor or a mentee.

Staffing World^®, the ASA annual convention and expo, is the premier event for staffing professionals who want to tackle the industry’s toughest challenges and drive growth. At Staffing World 2025, Oct. 6–8 in Orlando, FL, you’ll get strategies, insights, and tools to help you grow your firm and move your career forward.

Hear from keynote presenters Katie Ledecky—America’s most decorated female Olympian (opening keynote sponsored by World Wide Specialty, a Division of Philadelphia Insurance Cos.) and Carla Harris—Wall Street veteran, author, and international speaker (closing keynote sponsored by ConverzAI), as well as some of the brightest minds in business today.

Visit staffingworld.net for more information about Staffing World—and register by June 30 for the lowest rate available.