House Committee Holds Hearing on Unleashing America’s Workforce and Strengthening Our Economy, Announces WIOA Hearing for Wednesday, March 5

February 26, 2025 — This morning, the House Education and Workforce (E&W) Committee held a hearing focused on ways to strengthen the economy through various federal policies. The hearing began with Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) laying out his view that federal regulations imposed on employers have harmed the economy and that deregulation is a key strategy to strengthen it in the future. He also strongly endorsed President Trump’s and Congressional Republicans’ plans to extend the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act as an additional way to spur economic growth. In his opening remarks, Ranking member Bobby Scott (D-VA) noted that the House’s recently approved budget resolution—a key procedural step in the wider budget reconciliation process that was passed along party lines late last night—calls for at least $330 billion in funding reductions from the E&W Committee, and that these potential cuts will harm the American workforce.

Several recurrent themes emerged during the hearing, including persistent workforce shortages in key sectors of the economy, the impact of ongoing inflation, and the role immigration, including guest worker programs, have in supporting economic growth.

Witnesses included Rosanna Maietta from the American Hotel and Lodging Association who noted that the hotel industry has roughly 200,000 job openings to fill. Dr. William Beach, senior fellow in economics at the Economic Policy Innovation Center and former director of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, suggested that regulatory relief and tax relief would lead to increased productivity, as would addressing the federal budget deficit. Dr. Heidi Shierholz, president of the Economic Policy Institute and former chief economist at the U.S. Department of Labor, expressed grave concerns about how pending budget cuts would affect workers. Elizabeth Milito from the National Federation of Independent Business’s Small Business Center highlighted that small businesses have faced many challenges including COVID, supply chain interruptions, and regulatory burdens (at a cost of $1.8 trillion to small businesses, she noted). She advocated for policies to broadly provide more certainty for the business community.

Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA) noted several steps that would unleash the workforce, including providing access to needed skills, reauthorizing WIOA, and updating federal job training programs. Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), the former committee chair, expressed that regulations could be even more impactful than tax cuts, and Dr. Beach agreed. Foxx also emphasized her view that a lighter federal regulatory burden would affect worker upskilling and education. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA) expressed significant concern about high prices, inflation, and barriers to employment. As chairman of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee, he said he is eager to focus on workforce issues, including how to create a skilled workforce, emphasizing that there are many pathways toward family-sustaining employment. Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA) shared her concerns about the House’s recent budget resolution that would likely cut programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and Head Start.

Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI) discussed the importance of workers having multiple pathways to workforce. He voiced concern over government assistance programs creating disincentives for participation in the labor force. Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-CT) noted that low wages lead many Americans to rely on public assistance and that cutting these programs would be counterproductive. She voiced support for an increase in the federal minimum wage. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) raised significant concerns over treatment of the federal workforce and whether Americans’ private data is still secure amid ongoing activities spearheaded by Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency. Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC) expressed her concerns about firings at wage and hour offices around the country. Shierholz responded that a lot of sensitive personal info has been compromised, and that unemployment claims and OSHA cases are at risk due to these disruptions.

Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT) focused his remarks on the importance of supporting business franchising, the growing role of independent contractors, and the need to teach the power of entrepreneurship. Owens also defended efforts to “rightsize” the federal government, as is often done in the private sector. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) expressed concerns about recent events concerning the National Labor Relations Board and that the agency’s independence has been compromised with recent executive actions taken by President Trump. DeSaulnier also expressed concern about workforce development tools for disabled people and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act if the U.S. Department of Education were to be eliminated. Rep. Michael Rulli (R-OH) raised the issue of tax-free tips and asked if this policy change would help with employee retention.

Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ) raised concerns about a bill to eliminate OSHA and how heartbreaking it has been to lose workers on the job (which he noted has happened twice in his career). Rep. Mark Messmer (R-IN) noted the vital nature of the Sec. 199(a) small business deduction, and urged its renewal. Rep. Robert Onder (R-MO) expressed strong support for the H2B guestworker visa as essential. Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT) highlighted concerns about tariffs, noting that the price of steel has already increased since the November elections. He also noted that Farm Bureau and National Association of Home Builders are both sounding the alarm about tariffs and rising costs due to these policies. Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) highlighted that veterans are disproportionately employed by the federal government and noted that an estimated 6,000 veterans have been terminated in recent weeks as part of aforementioned efforts to reduce the size of the federal workforce.

Chairman Walberg closed the hearing by noting that the Committee is committed to “considering legislative solutions to improve the standard of living for American workers, reduce the burdens on business, and strengthen the economy, and that includes WIOA reauthorization and Workforce Pell.”

Shortly after the hearing concluded the E&W Committee announced a new hearing, specifically focused on WIOA, has been scheduled for Wednesday, March 5. NAWB will continue to share more information about these efforts as they become available. In the meantime, we urge you to continue making the case for WIOA funding to federal policymakers, especially if your member of Congress serves on the House E&W Committee and the vital role workforce development boards play in WIOA implementation.

NAWB Press Release on the Assistant Secretary of Labor’s Nomination

February 14, 2025 —  President Trump nominated Henry Mack III to serve as the next Assistant Secretary of Labor, leading the Department’s Employment and Training Administration. Mack has extensive experience in workforce development, previously serving on CareerSource Florida’s state workforce board and as a Chancellor of Florida’s Department of Education. Mack’s nomination to Assistant Secretary will require Senate confirmation– timing for which is forthcoming

President and CEO of the National Association of Workforce Boards, Brad Turner-Little, made a statement regarding the nomination:

“We are pleased to see someone with such an extensive background in workforce development be nominated for this critical leadership position. Supporting and developing a skilled workforce needed for the future is one of the best investments we can collectively make for our nation, and we look forward to the Senate’s consideration of Henry Mack’s nomination to lead the Employment and Training Administration.”

NAWB Announces Changes to Board of Directors

January 17, 2025 — The National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) today announced that two members of its Board of Directors, Kathy Jewett and Debra Giordano have stepped down from their roles for personal reasons. Al Searles, a member of the board’s executive committee, has been elected to the Vice Chair position vacated by Jewett during the board’s most recent meeting.

“On behalf of the NAWB team, I extend my gratitude to both Kathy and Deb for their valuable contributions and commitment during their tenure on the Board,” said President and CEO, Brad Turner-Little. “Their leadership and dedication have played an integral role in shaping our growth and I appreciate their guidance during a time of transformation for the organization.”

“As Board Chair, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Kathy for her exceptional leadership and dedication as a board director over the past six years and most recently as vice chair,” said NAWB Board Chair, Lisanne McNew. “Her vision and commitment have been pivotal in advancing NAWB’s mission and strengthening workforce boards nationwide. As Al steps into the role of Vice Chair, I am confident his expertise and passion will guide us forward, building on Kathy’s legacy and driving continued innovation and impact in workforce development.”

She added, “Deb’s expertise and dedication to workforce development have been invaluable to our industry. Her thoughtful leadership and contributions have left a lasting impact on workforce boards and the communities they serve. We are deeply grateful for all she has done for our board.”

A New Year’s Message from Brad Turner-Little

To start 2025, I’ve been looking at the various predictions being made for the coming year. I’ve found bold predictions about space travel, logical ones about demographics, and ones that have made me chuckle. While they come from different people with different points of view, one through-line that shows up in (almost) all of them is the continuance of the dramatic rate of change, largely driven by the accelerating influence AI will have on all our lives.

That has led me to reflect on the message we heard during The Forum 2024 from Eric Termuende, best-selling author and leader in workforce trends, who talked about the importance of building trust not just within teams, but also within communities during times such as these.

One of the ways that trust is built is by listening hard and acting upon what you’ve heard. That’s what NAWB is committing to this new year – listening hard and creating opportunities to engage, advocate, share, and work together to build the capacity and capability of our members to meet this critical moment in communities across the nation.

Over the past year, we’ve learned our members want more ways to learn from each other, tell the workforce system’s story more effectively and find ways to lean into the opportunities new technologies offer for both operations and services.

As a result, we’ve developed a variety of offerings for our members to take advantage of early in 2025 that respond to these desires. Here are the top five!

1. Winter Webinar Series: One of the best ways we have to share what’s making a real impact in communities is for local boards to showcase what’s working for them and how they do it. Our Winter Webinar Series continues our commitment to create ways for you to learn from those making a difference on the ground in communities. The session on Wednesday, Jan. 22 will focus on promising practices leveraging SNAP E&T funds to drive impact.

2. Engaging new (and returning) Members of Congress: The 119th Congress starts its work this month and now is the time to get to know them and for them to get to know you. Our first Public Policy PowerUp of the year, on Friday, Jan. 24, will focus on strategies to effectively tell your story to lawmakers. You can also use the Hosting a Congressional Site Visit Guide we jointly published last summer with the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals as a step-by-step map for having policymakers visit your services.

3. Microsoft Copilot Pilot: We’ve heard from boards across the country about the need for their teams to understand how emerging technologies can improve their workflows. In response, we’ve secured the opportunity for local boards to have their teams trained at no cost in using Microsoft Copilot in 2025. Learn more about how to take advantage of this benefit.

4. The Forum 2025: The single largest annual gathering of the workforce ecosystem, The Forum (March 29 – April 1) continues to offer one of the best venues to learn from peers, build networks, and get reenergized for the work ahead. This year’s theme is Together.Forward.Change., and we’ve got a full lineup of dynamic sessions, expert speakers, and innovative programming designed to inspire and empower workforce leaders.

5. Workforce Advocacy Day: New in 2025, Workforce Advocacy Day (April 1-2) will be our opportunity to collectively tell our story and demonstrate the nation’s public workforce system’s impact in communities directly to Congress.

In addition to these five things, our weekly NAWBNews emails feature more opportunities to engage with other boards and NAWB.

To close, I want to add to the list of predictions for 2025. It’s one that’s not far-fetched; it’s based on what I know to be true – your commitment to your communities. In 2025, hundreds of thousands of people will find their way into the world of work because of you; tens of thousands of businesses will find the talent they need to grow because of you. And because of you, more families will be more economically secure than they were in 2024.

We at NAWB are excited for this year and all it will hold as we work to support, serve, and represent you and the critical work you do every day.

Happy New Year – let’s make 2025 amazing!

– btl

How Colorado is Supporting Older Workers

Workforce Challenge:

Jobseekers at several Pikes Peak Workforce Center events had mentioned challenges with finding positions as an older worker. In conjunction with its already popular Beyond Age (55+) workshops, the Center created the Beyond Age Job Fair in August of 2024.

Workforce Solution:

The Center sent out a newsletter containing the benefits of hiring older workers including the experience, critical thinking and knowledge that can only be reached at a certain age. For this event we invited employers actively hiring older workers looking to start new careers and/or find more opportunities to grow.

Outcomes and Benefits:

Seventeen employers attend this Pikes Peak Workforce Center event in addition to 164 job seekers. Of the job seekers in attendance, 76% met the target demographic aged 50 and over! This was successful event will successful event will be held again in 2025, in addition to the organization’s many other job fairs/hiring events.

Continuing Resolution passes without WIOA reauthorization

Dec. 20, 2024 – The 118th Congress will conclude without having completed work to reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). This leaves our nation’s public workforce system once again at a crossroads as workforce development boards look ahead to the future.

WIOA was last updated in 2014 with an authorization period of five years, concluding in 2019. It remains a national imperative that Congress work to successfully reauthorize this critically important public investment which serves as the workforce ecosystem’s backbone in communities and states across this country.

Newly updated WIOA legislation is needed to ensure services to thousands of employers, learners, and workers as they seek to leverage the public workforce system to find dignity through work, build new skills, change careers, and to secure family-sustaining employment.

The National Association of Workforce Boards–which serves, supports and represents workforce boards–looks forward to working with the 119th Congress to update WIOA to meet the current moment and to help more Americans find success in today’s dynamic economy. We stand ready to work together to that critical end.

Congress Proposes New CR, Does Not Include WIOA Reauthorization

Dec. 19, 2024 — Late this afternoon, Congress released a new draft of the Continuing Resolution (CR) to continue funding the government through March 14. This new bill does not contain A Stronger Workforce for America Act (ASWA), which would have reauthorized the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) through 2030. (Note: This is a reversal from the initial CR released earlier this week, which included ASWA, after the CR was criticized by conservative members of Congress and President-elect Trump for the many extraneous provisions that had been added, effectively killing the proposal.)

The new CR includes a two-year debt ceiling suspension — a key request from President-elect Trump — along with a slew of other spending priorities sought by Congressional Republicans.

It is unclear if this newly released CR has the necessary support in Congress to pass. If it is adopted, it will likely mark the end of further consideration of WIOA reauthorization this Congress.

Our public policy team is continuing to engage with this process closely and will keep members informed of any further developments.

Congress Releases the Legislative Text of the Continuing Resolution; ASWA is Included

Dec. 18, 2024 — Yesterday, Congress released the legislative text of the Continuing Resolution (CR) to extend funding for the current fiscal year until March 14, 2025. The bill includes a number of pending pieces of legislation, including A Stronger Workforce for America (ASWA), which reauthorizes the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) through 2030. The inclusion of ASWA in this bill is an important milestone for our nation’s public workforce system.

We remain concerned about certain provisions in the bill and their impact on local boards’ ability to fulfill their missions – such as the redesignation process and expanding the Governor’s set-aside allowance. However, we are pleased to see several changes within the proposal that have been made since the bicameral bipartisan Committee agreement was announced a few weeks ago. These changes include:

  • The 50% training mandate has been adjusted so that Supportive Services and Career Services can be calculated as up to 10% of Title I funds, giving boards more flexibility in meeting this mandate.
  • ASWA increases youth work experience obligations to 40% but does not include an employer matching requirement.
  • Extended implementation timelines in serval programmatic areas.

While not aligned to NAWB’s recommendation to fund local and state workforce boards at the level needed to fully meet demand, we note that this authorization would increase in funding over current levels.

Should the CR complete the legislative process and the WIOA system be reauthorized, we stand ready to work with the Department of Labor and other workforce development stakeholders to inform ASWA’s implementation.