AGP Executive Report

Labor Market Cooling: U.S. employers added just 57,000 jobs in June, far below expectations, while the unemployment rate slipped to 4.2%—but mostly because labor force participation fell to 61.5%, the lowest outside the Covid era. Hiring Caution: Multiple reports point to a “low-hire, low-fire” market where layoffs stay low, yet job seekers struggle to find openings. Jobless Claims Steady: Weekly unemployment aid filings inched down to 215,000, suggesting layoffs remain comparatively contained. AI Skills, Human Skills Still Win: A GMAC survey finds employers want AI capability in business grads, but communication, problem-solving, and leadership remain top hiring signals. Workplace Compliance: A Littler Q&A highlights independent-contractor misclassification risks for small businesses, especially in fitness. Federal Hiring Push: U.S. Customs and Border Protection is running July virtual recruitment events and a July 7-9 career expo in Colorado Springs for roles including Border Patrol and CBP Officer. Career Pathways: Westfield State and Baystate Health launch summer healthcare career programming for teens, blending hands-on experiences with soft-skill training. Education & Training: CBP-style hiring isn’t the only pipeline—Binghamton University’s new nanofabrication lab aims to build semiconductor-ready talent.

Labor Market Cooling: U.S. employers added just 57,000 jobs in June, far below expectations, while unemployment slipped to 4.2%—but the drop was driven mostly by fewer people in the labor force, not a hiring surge. Hiring Reality Check: The report points to a “low-hire, low-fire” market where layoffs stay low yet job seekers struggle, with long-term unemployment still elevated and leisure/hospitality shedding jobs. Fed Watch: Softer jobs data eased rate-hike expectations on Wall Street, while Fed Chair Kevin Warsh reiterated the Fed’s commitment to the 2% inflation target and independence. Workforce & Skills: Employers are raising the bar as AI changes what entry-level work requires, especially in office roles—making competitiveness a bigger issue than job loss. Education-to-Work Pipelines: Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the University of Regina created a transfer pathway from a Media Production diploma to a BFA in Film Production; Binghamton University opened a nanofabrication lab aimed at training semiconductor workers. Employer Recognition: Penn Installations won a Pennsylvania safety award; First National Bank earned a workplace award; the Army & Air Force Exchange Service was named a top veteran-friendly employer.

Labor Market Signals: Jobless claims eased to 215,000 for the week ending June 27, while June hiring cooled to 57,000 and long-term unemployment rose—suggesting a steady but strained labor market. Hiring vs. Confidence: Job openings held near a two-year high around 7.6 million, yet gross hiring slipped and consumers stayed cautious as inflation stayed above 4%. Fed Independence: New Fed Chair Kevin Warsh reiterated the 2% inflation goal and warned anyone expecting easier policy would be disappointed, keeping rate-cut hopes in check. Workforce Development: Walmart launched a paid Associate to Optician pathway to address optical shortages, and Kroger agreed to buy Giant Eagle for $1.65B, with no immediate RIFs expected. State HR Rules: Virginia’s July 1 updates require good-faith salary ranges in job posts and ban asking applicants’ prior pay. Education-to-Work: National University highlighted support for working adults and veteran-affiliated students, while a new nonprofit AuditionAir targets cost barriers for emerging performers.

Labor Market Snapshot: U.S. job openings held near a two-year high at 7.6 million in May, but hiring stayed soft as gross hiring slipped and layoffs rose—signaling resilience without a full “hiring switch” turning on. Private-Sector Hiring: ADP said private payrolls rose only 98,000 in June and planned layoffs fell sharply, pointing to steadier conditions even as job creation slows. Workplace & Pay: Walmart launched a paid Associate to Optician pathway, training current associates for licensed roles to address optical labor shortages. AI and Hiring Risk: A California judge let a Workday AI hiring-bias lawsuit move forward, raising pressure on HR tech vendors. HR Tech & Careers: IBM plans to triple entry-level hiring in 2026 after some firms regretted AI-driven layoffs, highlighting a renewed focus on building talent pipelines. Employer Branding: U.S. News named Pathward and multiple Houston-area companies to its Best Companies to Work For lists, spotlighting pay, stability, and career growth. Workplace Equity: A Fourth Circuit ruling denied qualified immunity for a Maryland sergeant facing claims of racial bias and racist overtime-related conduct. Local Hiring Spotlight: A “NOW HIRING” roundup highlighted multiple Valley employers and upcoming job fair options for candidates.

Labor Market Watch: U.S. job openings rose to 7.594 million in May, a two-year high, while hiring stayed soft and layoffs remained low—signaling demand is there, but companies are cautious. AI & Hiring Reality Check: New research finds firms that spend more on AI are growing headcount faster, including entry-level roles, challenging fears of an AI jobs wipeout. Layoff Signals: WARN data suggests more companies are planning July layoffs, with cuts concentrated in software, cloud, and cybersecurity. Workforce Pipeline: Apprenticeships and youth career programs keep expanding—like Rockwood’s Registered Youth Apprenticeship and a new data center operator cohort graduating in Texas—aimed at faster routes into skilled work. Senior Care Staffing: Senior living providers are tackling caregiver shortages as the aging population grows, with turnover pushing new recruitment and retention strategies. Local Hiring Stories: Wrangell schools added special education teachers with international experience, and senior living/workforce coverage highlights how communities are responding to staffing gaps.

Labor Market Pulse: U.S. job openings held near a two-year high at 7.6 million in May, but hiring stayed soft—gross hiring slipped to 5.17 million and layoffs rose, leaving the market in a “holding pattern.” Hiring vs. Confidence: Consumer confidence inched up in June as gas prices fell, yet Americans’ views of the job market worsened, with more people saying jobs are “hard to get.” AI and Work: A new study finds firms that invest heavily in AI tend to add jobs after adoption, while other reporting highlights how AI rollouts can backfire when training data and experienced staff knowledge aren’t captured. Tech Hiring Signal: Nvidia posted roles tied to building AI data centers in space, a rare example of AI-driven hiring moving from hype to staffed projects. Construction Demand: Construction job openings hit a 10-month high, with the rise linked to specialized needs like electricians for data center buildouts. Workplace Recognition: Market Basket was named a top employer in U.S. News & World Report’s best places to work list, spotlighting retention and career growth for its 32,000 associates.

Federal Workforce Overhaul: A new OPM rule would let agencies use “suitability and fitness” standards to speed discipline and firings of current federal employees, tightening accountability across the civil service. Regulatory Independence at Risk: The Supreme Court upheld Trump’s removal of an FTC commissioner, signaling more political control over federal regulators that oversee markets, energy, and media—an HR ripple for compliance and hiring in regulated industries. Immigration Uncertainty Hits Hiring: After a judge struck down a new H-1B fee, tech workers still report “uncertainty tax” effects; H-1B registrations for FY27 fell sharply as talent looks to Canada, the U.K., EU, and the Gulf. Labor Market Signals: Jobless claims stayed low around 215,000 and Park County, Montana posted a 2.4% May unemployment rate—small wins amid broader economic caution. Workforce Development Success: California incarcerated students earned stackable forestry credentials and the first associate degree in forestry via Lake Tahoe Community College’s Rising Scholars program, linking education to conservation camp jobs. Hiring Hard-to-Fill Roles: Employers face shortages in AI, nurse practitioner pipelines, and other fast-changing fields, pushing more emphasis on speed, skills, and clear communication. Workplace Rankings: U.S. News released its 2026-2027 Best Companies to Work For ratings, expanding coverage across public and private employers and spotlighting pay, stability, and career growth.

Federal HR Overhaul: The Trump administration is expanding options to fire federal employees deemed “unsuitable,” using OPM’s new suitability and fitness rules to speed up removals. Workforce & Skills: A new push in MBA education argues schools must integrate real-world problem solving, digital tools, and career readiness earlier—since recruiters want judgment and communication, not just degrees. Hiring Pressure in Hard Roles: Employers say the hardest jobs to fill are concentrated in AI, healthcare, and other fast-changing fields, with retirements and training gaps driving competition. Workplace Security Threats: Five Eyes warns Chinese intelligence services are using fake recruiter tactics on job platforms to target people with access to sensitive information. Manufacturing Hiring Boost: IEWC cut the ribbon on expanded control panel manufacturing in Wisconsin, adding 120+ jobs since January and listing 100+ open roles. Labor Market Signals: Weekly jobless aid filings fell to 215,000, while inflation remains a central watch item for hiring and pay decisions. AI Policy Debate: Lawmakers are floating new ways to tax the AI boom, including data-center energy and token-based proposals, to fund jobs and apprenticeships. Older Workers Exit: Reports highlight older tech workers “tapping out” early amid layoffs, burnout, and AI skepticism.

Midyear Risk Watch: A new WTW look at 2026 finds volatility still driven by geopolitics, AI, inflation, and “people risk,” with boards planning for fast pivots as labor and inflation stabilize but workforce threats don’t. AI + Work Policy: Progressives are pushing new ways to tax AI (data-center energy, AI tokens, and wage-security ideas) as employers and workers brace for job shifts. Labor Market Signals: Weekly jobless claims fell to 215,000, pointing to a resilient labor market even as hiring stays subdued and inflation pressure lingers. Job Search Reality Check: Reports highlight how AI is reshaping hiring and why early-career roles can vanish as demand shifts upward. Workforce Shortages: The U.S. needs millions more homes, but construction leaders warn the bigger bottleneck is a shortage of skilled trades workers. Local Hiring + Mobility: Idaho is ranking high for growth and moves, while Minnesota’s Mesabi Metallics launches a major operator hiring push for a new mine and pellet plant. Education Pipeline: Military spouse employment barriers remain stubbornly high, and schools keep posting openings as they gear up for the next year.

Labor Market Signals: Weekly jobless claims fell to 215,000, reinforcing a resilient labor market even as inflation stays sticky and employers keep hiring at a cautious pace. Inflation & Cost Pressures: The Fed’s preferred inflation gauge hit a three-year high in May, with gas and AI-driven chip costs pushing prices up—plus Apple raised Mac and iPad prices due to memory shortages. Workforce & Hiring Moves: Mesabi Metallics launched a major operator hiring push for a new Minnesota mine, while Cirrus Aircraft opened a Talent Center aiming to add 240+ Duluth-area roles and held open recruitment weekly. AI in HR Under Scrutiny: Workday faces a lawsuit over alleged AI bias in job application screening, adding to the growing pressure on HR tech vendors. Career Pathways for Youth: The FBI ran a Cyber Academy for Arizona teens, and the Girls With Pearls program brought an Air Force leader to inspire students about military careers. Policy Watch: Librarians and allies pushed back against an FCC E-Rate proposal that could disrupt the $2.4B schools-and-libraries subsidy system. Immigration & Jobs: Supreme Court action to end TPS for Haitians threatens work authorization for some immigrant healthcare workers, raising concerns about staffing in nursing homes and home care.

Labor Market Snapshot: Weekly jobless claims fell to 215,000, keeping layoffs near historic lows even as hiring stays subdued and Fed policy stays restrictive. Inflation & Cost Pressure: The Fed’s preferred inflation gauge hit a three-year high on higher gas and rising costs tied to AI-related demand, while Apple raised Mac and iPad prices due to chip shortages. Hiring Outlook: Economists expect steady job conditions through 2026, but warn the job search may feel tougher even if unemployment remains low. Workforce Aging in Tech: Older tech workers are increasingly taking buyouts or retiring early, reshaping career ladders for younger workers. Workplace Tech Tension: Workday faces a lawsuit over alleged AI bias in job application screening, adding pressure on HR teams adopting automation. Skilled Trades Pipeline: Construction and trades groups warn the U.S. needs more workers to build needed housing, while Mesabi Metallics and Cirrus Aircraft are ramping hiring for operator and technical roles. Immigration & Health Care Staffing: Supreme Court action ending TPS for Haitians/Syrians raises concerns about staffing gaps in nursing homes and home health. Local Jobs & Training: Wisconsin’s Cirrus opened a Talent Center to recruit 240+ roles, and a Minot-area apprenticeship signing highlights ongoing demand for trained trades.

Labor Market Watch: Weekly jobless claims fell to 215,000, reinforcing a resilient labor market even as inflation stays sticky and the Fed weighs its next move. Inflation & Cost Pressures: The Fed’s preferred inflation gauge jumped to a three-year high in May, driven largely by gas and also pricier semiconductors tied to the AI buildout. Hiring Outlook: Economists expect slow hiring and steady unemployment through 2026, with “low-hiring/low-firing” the likely baseline—though some red flags remain. Workplace Tech & AI: Workday faces a lawsuit over alleged AI bias in job application screenings, adding to the growing HR AI backlash. Education & Access: Librarians and allies are pushing back against an FCC push to reshape E-Rate, warning it could disrupt the $2.4B subsidy system for schools and libraries. Skilled Trades Pipeline: The construction industry says the biggest bottleneck is workers—less interest in trades and more exits than entries—while projects keep needing electricians, plumbers, and other hands. Local Hiring Signals: Mesabi Metallics launched a major operator hiring push for its new Minnesota mine, and Cirrus Aircraft opened a Talent Center aiming to add 240+ Duluth-area roles. Immigration & Health Care Jobs: A Supreme Court move allowing deportation of Haitians on asylum routes threatens staffing for immigrant-heavy home health and nursing care workforces.

Privacy & Surveillance: Sen. Ron Wyden and Rep. Mike Cloud say ATF canceled a Penlink contract that used adtech-sourced location data, and will review other vendor deals—another push for tighter limits on government data brokers. Labor & Compliance: Idaho’s Stella’s Ice Cream faces $321K in federal child-labor penalties tied to dangerous tasks and hours violations; separately, Burley’s Ida-Beef is hit again with humane slaughter inspection violations after repeated ineffective stuns. Workforce & Local Hiring: Meridian Fire Department plans to add 40% more staff and open two new stations, while Altec’s “Project Poplar” expansion in Mount Airy aims to create 100 jobs. Disability Employment Policy: A Wisconsin-backed bill, H.R. 8736, advanced out of a House committee to expand employment choice for adults with disabilities. Economy & Demographics: Idaho reports Hispanic buying power surged 65% (2010-2020), signaling growing consumer impact. Retirement Savings Reality Check: New reporting highlights that most Americans with retirement accounts are far from $1M balances. Fed Independence in Court: Reuters flags the Supreme Court’s expected decision on whether Trump can fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook “for cause.” Immigration & Caregiving Strain: A Minnesota story shows how immigration enforcement can disrupt caregiving staffing when workers with valid permits are detained. AI Access for Critical Infrastructure: Anthropic says Mythos 5 access is restored for a limited set of U.S. organizations, while Fable 5 remains blocked.

Jobs & Economy: The U.S. added 178,000 jobs in March (after shedding 133,000 in February), with revisions shifting the early-year picture and keeping labor-market resilience in focus. Workplace & Hiring Risk: A Florida staffing-firm recruiter sued over alleged disability and race discrimination, including “materially inferior” pay and commission opportunities. Labor Tensions: Hyundai union members voted 92% for strike action as mediation was suspended, escalating a dispute over profit-based bonuses and limits on AI/robotics adoption. Layoffs & Plant Closures: Michelin says the Tuscaloosa BFGoodrich tire plant will close in 2028, with phased workforce impacts starting in 2027. Immigration & Work Authorization: The Supreme Court cleared the Trump administration to end TPS for Haitians and Syrians, raising major employer and community concerns—especially in Ohio. HR/Compliance Watch: EEOC guidance highlights that pre-employment health questionnaires may violate GINA. Education Workforce: Utah State hired BYU’s Rob Neilson as head volleyball coach, a reminder that coaching talent moves fast. Public Sector Staffing: OPM selected Oracle to power federal workforce modernization. Legal & HR: Protected concerted activity warnings for non-union employers.

Federal Minimum Wage Push: Sen. Chris Murphy introduced the “Living Wage for All Act,” aiming to raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $25 an hour over several years, arguing 45% of workers earn less than that. Immigration & Work Impacts: The Supreme Court backed the Trump administration’s move to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians, with advocates warning of major fallout for employers and care workforces, including disability services. AI + Hiring Pressure: A new Enhancv study says nearly 80% of professionals hold a second full-time job as “secret overemployment” to hedge layoffs and restructuring, with many working hybrid or in-office. Workforce & Care Infrastructure: A venture bet on the “care economy” highlights childcare, leave management, and benefits navigation as underfunded labor-market infrastructure. Data Centers vs. Jobs: Rep. André Carson joined a push for a data center moratorium tied to AI safety and worker/community protections. State Labor Snapshot: Florida’s unemployment rate held at 4.8% in May as small-business hiring stayed “essentially flat.” Workplace Compliance: EEOC reminded employers that pre-employment health questionnaires may violate GINA.

Workforce & Jobs: Jobless aid filings fell to 215,000 last week and layoffs stayed low, while overall employment still faces pressure—an uneven signal for hiring. Higher Ed Funding Cuts: Johns Hopkins University laid off 110 employees, citing shrinking federal research funding and pointing to broader federal cutbacks affecting universities. AI & Training: A nonprofit is pushing to prepare workers for AI-related job disruption, and educators are sharing practical ways to integrate AI into workforce development. Small Business & Manufacturing: SBA chief Kelly Loeffler toured Seacoast manufacturers to highlight federal support for small businesses and re-shoring jobs. Industrial Investment: U.S. Steel’s board approved about a $475M investment for a Fairfield facility upgrade, signaling continued manufacturing hiring demand. Local Housing Policy: NYC’s Rent Guidelines Board approved Mamdani’s rent freeze for about 1 million rent-stabilized apartments, a major affordability move with ripple effects for landlords. Caregiving Startup: Hera raised $27M to expand AI-assisted senior care coordination across more states. Workplace Safety & Careers: A Pasco teen’s robotics program is inspiring younger STEM students through hands-on coding and engineering activities.