2026 Staffing Trends: Projections and Reflections From Industry Leaders

Who Should Attend

Staffing, recruiting, and workforce solutions industry owners, principals, chief executive officers, presidents, branch managers, and recruiting professionals

Highlights

Identifying industry trends is critical for staffing firm leaders, who are charged with developing strategic initiatives toward growth. ASA has done the research and analysis on behalf of its members and has compiled a list of the top five trends in staffing for 2026. Join thought leaders in the industry to learn about the 2026 trends and get prepared for the year ahead. Participate in this important webinar to discuss these trends and learn how they will affect the industry in 2026—and, specifically, how they will affect your business goals and future growth:  

1. Cautious commitments: hiring fluctuations amid economic uncertainty
2. Balancing act: the dual effects of artificial intelligence on labor demand 
3. Growing competitive pressures: conveying the industry’s value proposition 
4. Skills over school: the rise of competency-based hiring 
5. The next fiscal battleground: states on the legal front lines 

During this webinar, attendees will learn 

• What staffing industry trends will be prominent in 2026 and how to strategically use that information within their companies 

• How to utilize resources and tools supporting each trend to maximize growth opportunities 

• Ways to connect with industry experts and peers with similar growth opportunities and outlooks 

Presenters

Michelle Sims

CEO, YUPRO Placement

Sims is chief executive officer of YUPRO Placement, a progressive skills-first staffing firm focused on career advancement of historically overlooked talent. A champion of skills-based hiring, she leads a purposeful ecosystem of employers and workforce development organizations that collaborate on and commit to building inclusive hiring practices. Sims is a four-time honoree on the Staffing Industry Analysts Global Power Women 150 list and was recognized as an inaugural honoree on its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Influencers list. She currently serves as chair of the ASA women in leadership interest group, serves on the women’s leadership board of the HKS Women and Public Policy Program, and is a champion member with the Women Business Collaborative. Sims is a regularly published contributor with the Forbes Business Council as a subject matter expert on employers adopting skills-first hiring practices.

Sid Mitchener

Executive Vice President of Strategy & Operations, Vaco

Mitchener is executive vice president of strategy and operations at Vaco, where he helps shape the company’s strategic vision and operational excellence. With over 25 years of experience in consulting, recruiting, and sales management, Mitchener has a strong background in engineering and technical recruiting. He co-founded Vaco’s Raleigh office in 2004 and has since led initiatives including supply chain, retained search, and creative talent divisions, as well as innovative ventures like BUILT. Known for his collaborative leadership style, Mitchener emphasizes relationships, teamwork, and empowering high-performing individuals. He envisions Vaco continuing to adapt to market demands through integrated staffing and consulting solutions.

Baljit Gill

Founder and Chief Operating Officer, TalentBurst

Gill is the founder and chief operating officer of the TalentBurst Group of Cos., a global leader in staffing, workforce management, and compliance solutions. With over two decades of experience in technology-driven business operations, Gill oversees automation, AI initiatives, technology, delivery, and compliance across the U.S., India, and Canada. His expertise lies in leveraging automation and artificial intelligence to optimize workforce scalability, enhance client experience, and improve operational efficiency. A visionary leader with a strong technical foundation, Gill has built high-performing teams that integrate innovation and execution to drive sustainable growth and maintain TalentBurst’s competitive edge in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Wendy Kennah

Chief Operating Officer, Procom

Kennah is the chief operating officer at Procom, where she leads operational strategy across recruiting, technology enablement, workforce delivery, and compliance for one of North America’s leading staffing and workforce solutions firms. With deep expertise in contingent workforce management, recruiting operations, and large-scale payroll programs, she is known for building high-performing teams and scalable, compliant delivery models. She brings a practical, people-first leadership approach grounded in data, accountability, and continuous improvement. Kennah works closely with teams to translate AI-enabled insights into smarter workforce planning, improved delivery outcomes, and scalable processes. She brings actionable insights for staffing leaders navigating AI-driven change, with a focus on operational excellence, workforce impact, and responsible adoption.

Toby Malara, Esq.

Vice President, Government Relations, American Staffing Association

Malara advises on all staffing-related legislation and regulation, including the Affordable Care Act, immigration/I-9, paid sick leave, sales tax and per diem issues. He also directs the association’s political activities through its political action committee, StaffingPAC.

Noah Yosif

Chief Economist, American Staffing Association

Yosif is chief economist at ASA. He serves as head of the ASA research team, leading economic and policy research initiatives which support staffing companies across the United States. He also represents ASA on the Economic Affairs Committee of the World Employment Confederation. Yosif previously served as an economist with both the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions and the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA). He is a prolific speaker on economic policy issues and is regularly featured within major financial media including Bloomberg, Barron’s, Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Fox Business, Marketplace, as well as Kiplinger.

This webinar qualifies for 1.0 hour of CE toward maintaining your ASA credential.