Amy Glaser, Senior Vice President, Adecco
Amy Glaser, senior vice president at Adecco, sat down with Invest: to discuss the state of the staffing industry, her outlook for what is to come next, trends in the candidate and employer sides of the job search process and more
What trends in technology are being leveraged by Adecco and the larger staffing industry?
The topic everybody is talking about right now is AI. At Adecco, we’re leveraging AI to enhance the experience for both candidates and employers. Internally, we use generative AI for tasks such as scheduling an interview or answering basic questions, which speeds up the job placement process for candidates. For our recruiters, AI helps take those tactical and repeatable tasks off their plates, allowing them to focus on meaningful, face-to-face interactions and providing sound career advice to candidates.
While there are concerns about AI replacing jobs, much of this stems from misunderstandings about the technology. We see AI and technology as tools to complement, not eliminate, the workforce. AI increases efficiency but always requires a human touch.
What are the legal and ethical considerations of using AI in the labor market?
While new technology and AI can increase efficiency, it’s crucial to address its unregulated nature and the handling of personal data in our industry. At Adecco, we’re committed to embracing AI safely and responsibly. We have issued guidelines for compliant AI usage in public applications and have educated our employees on protecting personal data. We also provide ongoing training to ensure our employees understand the power of AI and use it responsibly and ethically.
How has the demand for your services evolved?
In the staffing industry, it’s normal for demand to ebb and flow. Right now, we are seeing an equal balance between temporary, temp-to-hire, and permanent placement. One of the key things we are seeing is an increase in consultative requests from clients, especially as new companies move in or as start-ups are established. Clients increasingly seek our expertise in building workforce strategies and developing training programs. As a result, we are evolving from traditional day-to-day staffing to focusing on a full suite of solutions and career path development for our customers.
What ongoing trends in the staffing industry are you noticing when it comes to candidate skills?
It definitely varies across industries. Skills themselves are becoming increasingly more important compared to certifications and degrees. With technological advancements, we can assess and validate skills more effectively. Skills-based hiring is important, but especially with the rise of the Gen Z workforce, employers are trying to look for not only skill, but the will to match. If they don’t have the skill, do they have the will and ability to learn quickly?
Key sectors like warehousing and e-commerce continue to be strong. The nursing shortage continues to be an area where we support our clients. Additionally, call centers and customer service roles have huge opportunities, particularly due to the robust financial services sector in Jacksonville. There’s also notable growth in fields like biology, chemistry, environmental and marine life, which is great to see.
What programs or strategies are being implemented to attract and retain skilled talent?
In partnership with the Adecco Group US Foundation, we’ve implemented several initiatives to attract and retain skilled talent. One is our forklift upskilling training program. We use a virtual simulator onsite with our customers to train individuals without forklift experience, enabling them to quickly pass the forklift test and become safe, certified drivers. Additionally, we offer GED and high school diploma certifications to ensure people have accessible educational opportunities.
Another exciting trend involves retirees returning to the workforce. As Baby Boomers retired, they took valuable institutional knowledge with them, particularly impacting the manufacturing sector. We are bringing retirees back to help upskill the current workforce, leveraging their expertise to benefit our clients.
What is your outlook for the staffing industry for the next two to three years?
The staffing industry is poised for expansion over the next two to three years. In Jacksonville, we’re opening a second branch dedicated to the professional services sector, expanding our footprint into the healthcare/life sciences and marketing verticals. While these sectors continue to see growth, opportunities in the manufacturing and light industrial sectors remain strong.
While others are moving to remote operations, Adecco is continuing to invest in the communities where we do business. Oftentimes, candidates find the job search process overwhelming. We believe in engaging candidates through multiple channels and meeting them where they are to provide that “human touch” in an increasingly remote world of work.
Our purpose at Adecco is to “Make the Future Work for Everyone.” This empowers us to think beyond the tactical parts of staffing and focus on serving people through the power and potential of a job. Over the next few years, we will continue to see the staffing industry shift away from only transactional activities to more meaningful, relationship-building opportunities.
