May 7, 2026
The labor market is unlike anything staffing veteran Krista DiGiacomo has seen in 24 years, and she's not mincing words about why. In this episode, Krista, franchise owner of Express Employment Professionals in Vancouver, Washington, joins host Brandon Laws to unpack the growing skills gap reshaping hiring today. From soft skills like punctuality and reliability, to hard skills like reading blueprints and running a budget, employers are struggling and the education system is a big part of the story. Krista makes a compelling case for rethinking the four-year degree mandate, investing in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, and why the skilled trades may be the most future-proof career path in an age of AI. If you're an employer, job seeker, parent, or anyone invested in the future of work, this is an episode you can't afford to miss.
⏱️ KEY TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Welcome & Introduction: Krista DiGiacomo joins the show as the first-ever Express Employment Professionals guest in 580+ episodes
00:51 – The State of the Labor Market: What Krista is seeing on the front lines after 24 years in staffing and why she's never seen anything quite like this
01:19 – The Skills Gap Unpacked: Soft skills (attendance, reliability, punctuality) and hard skills (blueprints, budgets, trade knowledge) are both in short supply
02:53 – Who Uses a Staffing Agency? Krista breaks down the wide range of candidates Express serves, from recent grads to career changers to those reentering the workforce
04:16 – Higher Education's Identity Crisis: Why universities optimized for enrollment over practical application and why a bachelor's degree doesn't mean what it used to
07:50 – Changing the Narrative at Home and in Schools: Why the four-year-degree-or-bust mindset is hurting society and what parents can do differently
08:58 – CTE Programs: The Comeback Story: How Career and Technical Education programs are making a powerful return in high schools and what Krista is doing personally to accelerate that
11:10 – From Classroom to Apprenticeship: How CTE programs are connecting students with local employers, internships, and trade careers through creative funding models
14:00 – The Consultant Role of Modern Staffing: Why Krista challenges clients to question whether a degree requirement is actually necessary and what that conversation looks like
17:13 – Making Trades Glamorous: Why skilled trades need a branding refresh for the next generation, and how AI actually makes the case stronger for going into the trades
20:37 – Earning Potential in the Trades: Comparing income outcomes between trade careers and four-year degree paths, and the numbers might surprise you
21:33 – What Happens If We Don't Course Correct: The looming workforce crisis if CTE investment doesn't scale and reasons for cautious optimism
24:20 – The Future of Staffing in a Changing Market: How Krista's team has evolved from order-takers to career consultants and why AI won't replace the human side of hiring
📌 A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST
Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR Host: Brandon Laws In Brandon's own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders."
About Xenium HR
Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience. Discover how Xenium can transform your workplace: Learn more
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