California Staffing Professionals (CSP)

California Staffing Professionals (CSP), also known as CSP, is a membership association providing support services to the recruiting & staffing industry in education, networking, and legislative advocacy.

OUR MISSION 

Our mission is to serve as the leading voice and resource for the staffing and recruitment industry in California. We strive to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, and excellence in the field. Through education, advocacy, and networking opportunities, we aim to empower staffing professionals to thrive in their careers and contribute to the growth and success of businesses and job seekers throughout California.

VITAL stands for the 5-pillar foundation of CSP and are:

• V - Visionary Thinkers
• I - Integrity
• T - Training
• A - Advocacy 
• L - Leadership

CSP is a VITAL non-profit association whose members are in the staffing and recruiting business or provide products and services used in the industry.

California Staffing Professionals Association (CSP): Recruiters, Staffing & Search Pros working with our Industry Partners for the success of our members & industry.

OUR HISTORY

Historically, people of various professions have banded together in common purpose, and so it was with the private personnel services industry in California. The California Association of Personnel Consultants was initially formed in 1937 as the Southern California Employment Agencies Association and incorporated as a non-profit corporation on February 18, 1947. In 1955, a statewide organization was formally identified and was named the California Employment Agencies Association (CEAA). In 1970, this title was shortened to the California Employment Association (CEA) and was subsequently changed in May 1980 to California Association of Personnel Consultants. In June, 2000, CAPC merged with the California Association of Temporary Staffing Services (CATSS) to form California Staffing Professionals (CSP), in order to better serve the staffing industry in California.

CSP was the first personnel placement organization to develop a certification program in 1959. In 1962, CSP coordinated with the National Association of Personnel Consultants (NAPC) to develop a national competency exam and establish the recognized national professional designation for our industry – CPC (Certified Personnel Consultant). CSP currently offers training and an exam which focuses on legal compliance in industry practices resulting in CAC accreditation.

CSP has developed extensive training programs for the new and/or incoming consultant – “Staffing 101″ – in both northern and southern California.

CSP successfully influenced the passage of several state assembly bills that deregulated employer-paid agencies to the less restrictive control of local statutes, eliminating the Bureau of Employment Agencies. It fought oppressive I-9 requirements. It confronted the Legislature, protesting unfair competition by a publicly funded entity.

CSP has provided means for members to differentiate themselves from those who have been exposed by the media for violations of Equal Employment Opportunity and others who have caused negative experiences for some employers and candidates.

Over the years, CSP has been a generous contributor to charities and civic concerns. CSP continues to evolve in response to the growing needs of the public, to industry dynamics, and the needs of staffing industry professionals.

To further accomplish the goal of increased professionalism and to facilitate cooperation between member firms, CSP has adopted rigid standards of ethical practice that all members have agreed to follow. These standards ensure that CSP members conduct their businesses in a legal, ethical and self-regulated manner that honestly serves the dual consumers of private placement services. Should disputes arise, CSP has Ethics and Arbitration Committees to resolve the issues without unnecessary and costly litigation. CSP members are dedicated to helping all people, regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, age or handicaps, in their search for gainful, satisfying employment.

OBJECTIVES

• Education > To provide ongoing and current education and accreditation to meet the continuing needs of the CSP membership. 
  
  
• Ethics > To promote and maintain high standards of services and business integrity through the dissemination, application, and enforcement of the CSP Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Responsibility. 
  
  
• Legislative Advocacy > California has a reputation as the most highly regulated state in the US…meaning compliance, taxation and unfunded mandates on business make California one of the worst business climates to run a staffing or recruiting business…. The CSP is the most active association representing the needs of the industry and the front-line defense against further punitive legislation.

• Political Engagement (CSP PAC) > The CSP Political Action Committee (CSP PAC) raises money to help elect pro-employer candidates for state elective office. Supporting the political campaigns of business-friendly candidates brings political weight and a higher profile to our industry and is a critical component of our overall legislative and government affairs efforts.
  
  

• Public Relations > To raise the visibility of CSP to employer clients and the public as a reliable source of information and thereby increase their understanding of the role of the staffing professional.

STRUCTURE

In accordance with democratic principles, the membership is always the final authority in all decisions of the association. Major policy decisions are made by mailed ballots or at a meeting scheduled as part of the annual state convention. The membership also elects officers and a board of directors representing locally to act on behalf of the association. The CSP Board of Directors meets quarterly and is empowered to transact CSP business in accordance with the CSP Bylaws and Standing Rules of Order. The Board of Directors carries out its responsibilities through standing and special committees. Click here to meet our current Board of Directors. 

Networking, programs and community-related activities are critical to the achievement of CSP’s stated objectives. It is here that members, while they may be competitors in the marketplace, meet to exchange ideas, share common interests and work to promote industry goals.

COMMITMENT

CSP is committed to furthering the interests of the staffing services industry, not only in California, but throughout the nation. To this end, CSP, NAPS (National Association of Personnel Services) and ASA (American Staffing Association) reciprocate communications and join forces on projects.

The California Staffing Professionals has earned the 2024 ASA Certificate of Chapter Achievement. The Certificate of Chapter Achievement recognizes our continued commitment to advance the staffing industry at a local level and ongoing affiliation as a chapter with the American Staffing Association.

California Staffing Professionals has earned the 2023 ASA Certificates of Chapter Achievement and Legislative Achievement. The Certificate of Chapter Achievement recognizes our continued commitment to advance the staffing industry at a local level and ongoing affiliation as a chapter with the American Staffing Association and the Certificate of Legislative Achievement recognizes chapter that demonstrate successful legislative activity on legal, legislative, or regulatory issues that arose during the year. 

This Certificate of Chapter Achievement recognizes your continued commitment to advance the staffing industry at a local level and ongoing affiliation as a chapter with the American Staffing Association. The Certificate of Legislative Achievement recognizes chapters that demonstrate successful legislative activity on legal, legislative, or regulatory issues that arose during the year.