E04: Workforce Solutions for the Future: Technology, Partnerships, and Community Impact

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In this episode, NAWB President and CEO, Brad Turner-Little, is joined by President and CEO of CareerSource Central Florida, Pam Nabors. Pat shares insights on leading a large workforce board and preparing for the future of workforce development and discusses her organization’s role in serving a diverse five-county region surrounding Orlando, including efforts to inspire career journeys for youth and to support emerging industries like semiconductors.

Learn about CareerSource Central Florida’s innovative programs, including High School Career Express, partnerships with businesses and educational institutions, and the need to embrace technology and rethink service delivery models.

A Conversation with Jose Javier Rodriguez: A Recap

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NAWB hosted U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Assistant Secretary Jose Javier Rodriguez, who leads the Employment and Training Administration (ETA), for a conversation with President & CEO, Brad Turner-Little.

Here’s a quick recap:

Appreciation for NAWB’s Role:

Assistant Secretary Rodriguez made it clear that he appreciates the role that NAWB plays and is proud to serve in an administration that has prioritized good jobs. He noted that workforce development has not been—and is not—partisan, and that part of the privilege of joining ETA is the excellence in dedication of staff, including the regional DOL offices.

Rodriguez’s Background and Commitment to Economic Opportunity:

Rodriguez’s father emigrated from Cuba, and economic opportunity has been a guiding light in his journey. “The pathway to economic opportunity is better jobs in our communities, diversifying our economic mix, and [helping] communities confront the future.” He noted that ETA is addressing dislocations, unemployment, the guest worker program, and improving the ways workforce systems engage partners, including NAWB.

Impact of the Peace Corps and Training Philosophy:

His time in the Peace Corps in Senegal led to his calling toward public service. The word “training” in Spanish is “capacitación,” which is loosely defined as making someone capable. “You want to hand skills to somebody so they can do it on their own. It is about self-determination, using limited reserves, and maximizing their impact.”

Pride in ETA’s Grant Administration:

Rodriguez is proud of how ETA administers grant funds and is “doing a lot with very little,” considering the small amount provided for DOL’s administrative support. “I would say
we do the best job in town in terms of administering grants, formula funds… with the increasing workload year after year and a fantastic team.”

Service in the Florida Legislature and Workforce Development:

When asked about his service in the Florida legislature regarding workforce development, Rodriguez shared that his platform was about economic opportunity, economic development, and the jobs program. He got to know the area’s workforce professionals, navigated the jobs infrastructure, and the relationship with the local workforce in South Florida. During the pandemic, the wider focus was on helping workers and small employers trying to get benefits for their employees.

WIOA Reauthorization and Communication with Congress:

Per DOL policy, Assistant Secretary Rodriguez did not discuss current WIOA reauthorization proposals but did note in general that one challenge is explaining the public workforce system to members of Congress. “… the very important role [we all play] with respect to our workforce system is [hard] to communicate. They often understand their Job Corps program because it’s the same across the country, but perhaps do not have a wide understanding of the broader regionally diverse workforce system.” To amplify this point, Turner-Little encouraged attendees to acknowledge the importance of building relationships with federal and state elected representatives. “Workforce development professionals need to establish a close relationship with elected officials at all levels of government.”

Top Priorities at ETA:

Asked about his top priorities at ETA, Rodriguez noted the “number one focus is on job quality,” and the vital role of partnerships in supporting successful employees in quality jobs. He also noted ensuring equitable employment pathways for everyone, the accelerating pace of economic change, and dislocation related to automation and climate. Also on the Assistant Secretary’s mind are the future of work, clean energy infrastructure, advanced manufacturing plants, sector strategies, and tracking DOL investments. He also acknowledged the role of NAWB and workforce boards in facilitating sector strategies and praised high-quality programs that demonstrate workforce investments have a high return on investment.

Importance of Collaboration:

Rodriguez pointed to the importance of collaboration. “… One of the amazing things about serving at this particular time is we have an unprecedented level of interdepartmental and interagency collaboration and that’s by necessity.” “… We need to make sure the workforce system is at full capacity and that the hundreds of thousands of jobs [are filled] here in America.”

Revisiting DOL Communications and Access to Services:

Rodriguez mentioned that DOL is revisiting its communications to the workforce to make sure they are effective, including professional development opportunities, continued technical assistance, and disseminating new policy and guidelines to help clarify and maximize flexibility under Yes, WIOA Can. He acknowledged that additional guidance on what is allowable when it comes to outreach and marketing is forthcoming, as is equitable access to training and supportive services, and translating materials into multiple languages.

Lightning Round of Questions and Closing Thoughts:

As part of the “lightning round” of questions, Rodriguez pointed to economic changes in migration in the United States over the next decades. “It is going to be absolutely central to how we, as a nation and also communities, start to think about opportunities and dislocation.” Rodriguez also named his children as his inspiration and recognized the many public servants and private sector professionals who work so hard—often behind the scenes without getting credit—to help their fellow citizens. Finally, he had a clear message for all the hardworking workforce professionals in our network: “Thank you. It’s a privilege to be able to do this work and I know that it’s not easy… know that you have a partner at the Department of Labor.”

House Appropriations Committee Approves Deep Cuts for Workforce Funding; NAWB Condemns Unacceptable Funding Levels

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The House Appropriations Committee approved the FY25 Labor-HHS-Education spending bill on July 10, 2024

The voting breakdown? 31-25 party-line vote. Disappointingly, the bill reduces funding for WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker Employment and Training and wholly eliminates funding for WIOA Youth Job Training.

The National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) strongly opposes these drastic cuts to our nation’s workforce development system.

Brad Turner-Little’s Statement on the Cuts:

“It’s time for Congress to make a real investment in workers, learners, and employers, especially at a time when there are over 8 million job vacancies in our country,” said Brad Turner-Little, NAWB’s president and CEO. “Filling those jobs with skilled workers is essential to ensuring economic vitality in all our communities. We urge Congress to strengthen the investment in the American workforce, rather than reducing support for the publicly funded workforce system.”

Impact on Youth and Adults:

Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) pointed out that 134,000 youth—who already face complex challenges in finding employment—would lose access to job training and employment services. She added that 250,000 adults would lose training and employment services if this bill is enacted.

Funding Overview:

Funding for this bill is $185.8B, which represents a reduction of approximately $8.6B from the bill enacted for FY24. The full House of Representatives will consider the bill the week of July 29, 2024. Numerous amendments are expected to be filed.

E03: Workforce Innovation in Action: Spotlight on WorkSource Montgomery, Inc.

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Tune in for another episode of Workforce Central, as NAWB President and CEO, Brad Turner-Little speaks with Anthony Featherstone, the new Executive Director of WorkSource Montgomery, about workforce development initiatives in Montgomery County, Maryland. They discuss the county’s diverse demographics, major industries, and workforce challenges. Anthony also shares details about the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future legislation and WorkSource Montgomery’s innovative MoCo CAP program, which provides innovative career counseling for 6th-12th graders in partnership with local schools. He also highlights the board’s community workforce network and mobile job center aimed at expanding access to workforce services. Discover the importance of community engagement, listening to feedback, and building relationships to effectively navigate future workforce challenges.

NAWB Feedback to Senate on WIOA Reauthorization Discussion Draft

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NAWB Feedback to Senate on WIOA Reauthorization Discussion

NAWB is pleased to share our feedback on the Senate discussion draft to reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). As noted on the NAWB Blog, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee released a discussion draft and opened a process for collecting feedback prior to a formal bill introduction.

All feedback is due to the Senate HELP Committee in a specific format by 5 p.m. ET on Friday, July 5, 2024. NAWB members are encouraged to participate in this process, either reinforcing the messages below or providing their own feedback.

NAWB worked closely with members and partners, including organizations focused on the needs of local communities, convened NAWB members through a Public Policy PowerUp (formerly known as Policy, Coffee and Conversation), and collaborated with the Campaign to Invest in America’s Workforce coalition to gather feedback and develop strategies for engagement.

Concerns with Key Provisions

  • Redesignation of Workforce Development Areas Must Be Based on Local Needs, Result in Improved Outcomes, and Ensure Service Delivery (sec. 115; p. 23-30)
    • Local workforce systems exist to address unique community needs. Redesignation of local workforce areas should only occur if it leads to improved outcomes for WIOA participants. Strong quality assurances are necessary to prevent inequitable service delivery for underserved populations and ensure adequate support in rural areas and for small and medium-sized employers.
    • Feedback: NAWB recommends that redesignation only occur with consent from local workforce leaders and that the process ensure improved outcomes and service delivery.
  • State Single Area Designations Are an Extraordinary Step that Should Not Be Taken Lightly (sec. 115; p. 33-35)
    • The draft would allow 25 states to adopt a single statewide designation, potentially eliminating critical local workforce infrastructure.
    • Feedback: NAWB recommends state legislatures have a greater role in these determinations, lowering the population threshold for consideration, reducing the number of local areas required for eligibility, and shortening the timeline for reconstitution if efforts are ineffective.
  • Requiring Six New Standing Committees Will Divert Staff Time and Resources (sec. 116; p.36-37)
    • Proposed standing committees would divert resources from essential services to administrative tasks. This burden is compounded by provisions that allow states to reserve WIOA funds beyond local areas, further reducing capacity for local boards to manage the proposed requirements.
    • Feedback: NAWB recommends standing committees remain optional, allowing local boards to prioritize community needs.
  • Local Workforce Boards Must Retain Optimum Policymaking Authority (sec. 116; p. 42)
    • Current law requires local board members to have “optimum policymaking authority” within their organizations. The draft proposes eliminating this requirement.
    • Feedback: NAWB recommends retaining this provision to ensure effective implementation of decisions.
  • Establish One-Stop Delivery Systems Where Appropriate (sec. 121; p. 87)
    • Flexibility is essential for local boards to establish one-stop operators based on community needs.
    • Feedback: NAWB recommends empowering local boards to serve as one-stop operators when conditions are met.
  • A 25% Set-Aside Diverts Resources from Local Communities (sec. 132; p. 138)
    • The draft would allow governors to reserve an additional 10% of WIOA funding for statewide initiatives, which could reduce local resources.
    • Feedback: NAWB recommends alternative funding mechanisms to avoid shortchanging local communities.
  • Clarify the Use of Funds for Youth Workforce Experience Activities (sec. 133; p. 155)
    • Proposed changes to youth funding requirements are overly prescriptive and could disincentivize employer participation.
    • Feedback: NAWB recommends reducing these requirements to maximize flexibility and increase employer engagement.
  • Funding the Workforce System Maximizes Local Economic Vitality (sec. 149; p. 234-235)
    • Decades of funding erosion for core WIOA programs have diminished the public workforce system’s ability to meet emerging needs.
    • Feedback: NAWB recommends significantly increasing authorized funding over the next five years to signal the importance of greater investment.

Breaking News: Senate Releases WIOA Reauthorization Discussion Draft

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Senate Releases WIOA Reauthorization Discussion Draft

The Senate has released a discussion draft of a bill to reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). This draft is intended to gather feedback before finalizing the bill, and NAWB plans to actively engage in the process.

NAWB participated in a Senate committee staff briefing and conducted an initial review of the legislative text. Below are key takeaways:

Topline Takeaways from the Discussion Draft

  • No Training Mandate
    • The draft does not include a mandatory training expenditure, a significant improvement over the House-passed proposal, which mandated 50% of Title I Adult and Dislocated Worker funds to be allocated for training. NAWB is highly supportive of this approach.
  • Re-designation of Local Workforce Development Areas (LWDAs)
    • The proposal increases flexibility for state governors to consolidate or restructure LWDAs, going further than the House version in enabling these changes. NAWB is increasingly concerned about the potential implications of this provision.
  • Statewide Funding Reservations
    • Similar to the House proposal, the Senate draft allows states to reserve an additional 10% of WIOA Title I funding for statewide initiatives. However, it is more prescriptive, requiring these funds to support Industry/Sector Partnership efforts or employer-based training. NAWB remains apprehensive, as this reduces funding available for local communities to address their priorities.
  • Funding Levels
    • The draft does not specify authorized funding levels, instead using broad “such sums as may be necessary” language. This grants appropriations leaders greater discretion in determining WIOA funding. Additionally, the draft introduces a new funding stream using H-1B visa fees to support Individual Training Accounts. NAWB continues to emphasize the need for robust funding to ensure the public workforce system can meet current and emerging needs.

NAWB will continue to elevate these concerns and collaborate with Congress to advocate for a strong, well-funded workforce development system.

Top 10 Takeaways from the Senate HELP Committee Hearing

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Top 10 Takeaways from the Senate HELP Committee Hearing

On Wednesday, June 12, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing on Capitol Hill regarding the reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

1. Senators Are Eager to Reauthorize—and Amend—WIOA

While no comprehensive WIOA bill has yet been unveiled in the Senate, several “placeholder” bills have been introduced, including:

  • An increase in the percentage of funds available to Governors for statewide youth workforce investment activities.
  • Changes to the law’s performance accountability system.
  • Strengthening reporting requirements.

Takeaway: Workforce development boards need to effectively tell their story to lawmakers.

2. Justice-Involved Individuals Need More Support

Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-VT) emphasized addressing re-entry efforts for justice-involved individuals. He argued that rates of recidivism could be lower with the right supportive services and availability of quality training programs authorized by WIOA.

Question: Has your Workforce Development Board worked with justice-involved populations/systems? If so, please tell us more.

3. Will There Be a Training Mandate? And if So, How Will It Be Structured and Defined?

While a training mandate was not referenced specifically, Ranking Member Bill Cassidy (R-LA) argued that a greater share of WIOA funding should be going to training. He cited eight million job openings, low labor force participation rates, and only 200,000 individuals completing training each year.

Takeaway: Workforce development boards need to demonstrate and quantify their impact, including how and in what ways local boards help meet the unique needs of their communities.

Bonus Takeaway: Sen. Cassidy asked one witness, “Is it true that once you figure out one [workforce] board, you’ve figured out all boards?” The answer: Workforce boards are uniquely designed based on local needs of businesses and jobseekers.

4. WIOA Is Significantly Underfunded

Witness Lisa Bly-Jones, CEO of the Chicago Jobs Coalition (CJC), testified that WIOA funding is not commensurate with need. NAWB has called for at least a 5% increase to meet growing demands.

Takeaway: How well do we calculate and communicate the needs in our communities? What specifically would your Workforce Development Board be able to do if WIOA funding increased?

5. Wrap-Around Services Are Essential

The hearing highlighted the importance of services like transportation, childcare, uniforms, and addressing mental health, trauma, substance abuse, and homelessness. Witnesses emphasized that “getting the job” is less critical than “keeping the job.”

6. Automation Is Here… How Will It Affect Workforce Development Board Operations?

Chairman Sanders noted that automation could put 39 million jobs at risk by 2030. Workforce Development Boards must adapt to these changes and explore how AI can improve operations.

Question: Is your Workforce Development Board discussing this?

7. We Need Better Data… And You Can Help

Improved state and local data infrastructure, along with better access to wage data, are needed.

Takeaway: NAWB will launch a series of surveys—please complete them to help accurately reflect the work of Workforce Development Boards.

8. Senators Are Proud of Opportunity Youth Programs

The hearing highlighted the more than 1.1 million young people who are neither working nor in school, with senators praising programs like YouthBuild.

Takeaway: Communicate how your board works with programs focused on Opportunity Youth populations.

9. Utah’s Unique Workforce System: Will This Expand?

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) discussed Utah’s 1997 workforce model, combining workforce and social assistance into a block grant. Republicans are considering waivers to allow other states to adopt similar models.

Takeaway: Advocate at the state level about your Workforce Development Board’s role.

10. Advocacy Is Essential

Next week, NAWB Board members will meet with Congress in Washington DC.

What Steps Are You Taking to Advocate? Join NAWB every fourth Friday for Policy Coffee and Conversation.

E02: Overcoming Barriers and Defining Workforce Development: Insights from Coconino County

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In this episode of Workforce Central, Brad Turner-Little, President and CEO of NAWB, is joined by Billy Francis, Executive Director of the Coconino County Workforce Development Board in Flagstaff, Arizona. They discuss the unique challenges and opportunities of workforce development in rural Coconino County, which has a large landmass and significant Native American population. Billy shares his experience coming in as a new Executive Director and undertaking a year of discovery to assess the workforce ecosystem, leading to transformative changes such as implementing a virtual referral system and rebranding the board’s message. Discover the importance of building relationships with partners like community colleges, overcoming barriers, and championing workforce development in the community.