[Stage] An Economist's Forecast of the 2026 Labor Market (with Noah Yosif)

In this episode of Take the Stage, presented by Haley Marketing, Brad Bialy sits down with Noah Yosif to break down what staffing leaders must understand about today’s labor market and how economic uncertainty, AI, immigration, and policy shifts are reshaping opportunity for firms willing to adapt.

About the Guest

Noah Yosif is Chief Economist and Head of Research at the American Staffing Association, where he leads economic and policy research supporting staffing firms nationwide. A frequent voice in major financial media, Noah helps the industry translate complex economic signals into practical insight.

Key Takeaways

• The labor market rewards preparation, not prediction.

• Uncertainty exposes who truly understands their niche.

• Staffing’s real superpower is insight, not inventory.

• AI changes tasks faster than it changes demand.

• Waiting for recovery is not a growth strategy.

Timestamps

• [00:59] – Why orders are harder to win today

• [03:35] – When staffing demand still exists

• [06:15] – Blue-collar work’s unexpected comeback

• [08:56] – Staffing’s real competitive advantage

• [11:38] – Immigration’s hidden labor impact

• [13:36] – Do we have enough workers long-term?

• [16:29] – The four forces shaping hiring decisions

• [18:25] – What lower rates mean for staffing

• [19:24] – Why “wait and see” is a mistake

• [22:33] – New revenue models changing staffing

• [25:54] – The smartest 2026 focus for owners

• [30:32] – Early signs of a staffing recovery

About the Host

Brad Bialy is a trusted voice and highly sought-after speaker in the staffing and recruiting industry, known for helping firms grow through integrated marketing, sales, and recruiting strategies. With over 13 years at Haley Marketing and a proven track record guiding hundreds of firms, Brad brings deep expertise and a fresh, actionable perspective to every engagement. He’s the host of Take the Stage and InSights, two of the staffing industry’s leading podcasts with more than 200,000 downloads.

Sponsors

Take the Stage is presented by Haley Marketing. The old way of selling staffing is dead. Let’s fix it – with smarter strategies and HUGE DISCOUNTS on modern lead gen tools: https://bit.ly/Bialy20

Book a 30-minute business and marketing consultation with host, Brad Bialy: https://bit.ly/Bialy30