**The big picture:** The 2026 TIARA Staffing & Talent Solutions Awards Europe recognized top performers in the staffing and talent acquisition industry at a recent gala in London. The awards highlighted excellence across various categories, from client service to technology and inclusive recruitment. **Why it matters:** These awards set benchmarks for innovation and performance, offering insights into leading practices and successful strategies within the competitive European talent market. **Between the lines:** - PeopleScout won for Best Talent Attraction Strategy, while VHR secured multiple honors including Back-Office Team and Specialist Staffing Company of the Year. - KellyOCG and Pontoon Solutions were recognized for Long-Term Partnership and Contingent Workforce Solutions, respectively. - AMS, in partnership with Rolls-Royce, received the Inclusive Recruitment Award, showcasing a commitment to diversity. **Staffing & HR impact:** The recognized innovations and client service models can inspire best practices for recruiters seeking to enhance operational efficiency and client satisfaction, potentially impacting gross margins and talent retention strategies. **The bottom line:** The TIARA Awards underscore the evolving standards of excellence and innovation driving the European staffing and talent solutions sector.

**The big picture:** KellyOCG, the outsourcing and consulting arm of Kelly, has achieved the No. 1 ranking in healthcare RPO and No. 2 overall in HRO Today's 2026 Baker's Dozen Customer Satisfaction Ratings for Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO). **Why it matters:** This recognition highlights KellyOCG's strong performance and client satisfaction in a competitive RPO market, particularly within the critical healthcare sector, signaling robust capabilities for talent acquisition leaders. **Between the lines:** - KellyOCG improved its rankings from 2025, moving from No. 2 to No. 1 in healthcare and No. 3 to No. 2 overall. - The rankings are based on 400 global surveys across 334 companies, assessing service quality, breadth, deal size, and customer satisfaction. - KellyOCG leverages its Sevayo technology platform for integrated workforce management and maintains a 98% client retention rate. **Staffing & HR impact:** This top-tier RPO performance indicates strong operational efficiency and client trust, potentially enhancing KellyOCG's market share and recruiter mobility within specialized sectors like healthcare. The focus on client outcomes and technology integration can drive improved gross margins for RPO providers. **The bottom line:** KellyOCG's consistent high rankings underscore its position as a leading RPO provider, setting a benchmark for service excellence and technological innovation in talent acquisition.

**The big picture:** The skilled trades sector faces a severe talent shortage, with five workers retiring for every two entering the workforce, a trend impacting companies globally. **Why it matters:** This demographic shift necessitates innovative talent acquisition strategies to maintain operational continuity and address critical labor demands across industries. **Between the lines:** - A skills-based approach to recruiting can widen the talent pool by focusing on transferable abilities. - Redefining job descriptions and using inclusive communication can attract a broader range of candidates. - Leveraging data analytics helps predict future talent needs and build sustainable pipelines. **Staffing & HR impact:** Staffing firms and HR departments must pivot to skills-based hiring, invest in talent development, and forge community partnerships to secure future workforces and maintain gross margins. This proactive approach is crucial for recruiter mobility and operational success. **The bottom line:** Proactive and adaptive talent strategies are no longer optional but core to overcoming the persistent skilled trades deficit.