Express Employment Professionals reported sales rose to $1.71 billion in the first half of 2018, up 11% compared to the same period last year.

The company, which ranks No 7 on the list of largest US staffing firms, forecast sales of $3.57 billion by the end of the year.

The international staffing company also reported that it awarded 26 franchise locations so far this year, including the 800th territory in Central Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 

“For the first time in American history, there are more open jobs than people out of work because of the booming economy and low unemployment,” Express CEO Bill Stoller said. “While the labor force participation rate increased from 62.7% in May to 62.9% in June, it continues to lag behind 66.2% at the beginning of the Great Recession.”

Stoller continued: “There are more than 95 million workers who we need to get off the sidelines. In the midst of a recruiting crisis for companies, we are excited to work with this untapped labor pool.”