More signs of momentum, the Federal digital jobs platform impact on staffing, our (increasing) gap in workforce training

There’s finally some real movement out there. The CSJ Hiring Index hit 5.8/10, the strongest reading since last year, and it lines up with what the rest of the data is hinting at. PMIs are creeping up, manufacturing is inching back toward expansion, and job creation has been surprisingly strong. It feels like the market is shaking off a long stretch of hesitation.

The catch is on the supply side. With immigration running at a slower pace, some sectors are already feeling the pressure such as logistics, skilled trades, healthcare, anything that relies on steady inflows of new workers. As demand keeps heating up, those gaps will widen, and some employers will be in a tougher spot than they expect.

At the same time, Canada’s training efforts have basically flatlined according to recent Stats Canada data. Spending hasn’t kept up with the pace of change, participation has stalled, and it shows. AI adoption is speeding ahead while reskilling isn’t. The skills gap won’t just persist; it’ll stretch. For staffing, that means more complicated searches but also more room to guide clients who know they’re falling behind.

And then there’s the federal government’s idea for a digital jobs platform. Sure, it could nibble at the edges of the traditional staffing model, but it also opens a bigger conversation. A national job marketplace usually makes the system more transparent, and transparency tends to highlight all the pain points platforms can’t fix: screening, compliance, workforce planning, payrolling, and actual industry expertise. That’s where staffing firms can still win.

All in all, this week feels different. Demand is waking up, supply is tightening, and policy changes are reshaping the playing field just enough to keep everyone on their toes. A good moment to stay sharp. And get ready for what’s coming next.

Minh Dang - Editor in Chief

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