NAWB Releases New Report: Forging What’s Next: Workforce Leaders on Innovation and Impact

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Earlier this year, NAWB hosted a series of listening sessions with hundreds of workforce leaders to understand how the system is adapting to rapid technological, economic, and labor market changes.

The insights gathered highlight emerging strategies and innovations aimed at increasing impact, efficiency, and personalization across the workforce ecosystem.

We’re proud to share Forging What’s Next: Workforce Leaders on Innovation and Impact with our members. This report captures the collective wisdom, bold ideas, and shared commitment that surfaced throughout these conversations.

Key themes include the use of AI to streamline operations, human-centered service design, deeper industry partnerships, and reimagining funding models.

NAWB remains committed to partnering across the workforce system to identify, scale, and sustain the most effective innovations—empowering individuals, supporting businesses, and driving economic vitality in communities nationwide.

Download the report: Forging What’s Next Workforce Leaders on Innovation and Impact

Block Grants Won’t Solve America’s Workforce Challenges—Local Expertise Will 

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As I sat in the Rayburn hearing room on Capitol Hill yesterday as the House Education and Workforce Committee heard testimony from Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer, I was struck by a deep sense of irony. 

At a time when the Administration is promising to reshore manufacturing jobs, modernize our infrastructure, strengthen supply chains, and boost labor force participation, the president’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2026 cuts funding and dismantles proven programs that are essential for developing the talent pipelines needed to achieve these critical national goals. 

Secretary Chavez-DeRemer highlighted the Administration’s proposed budget as giving states the flexibility to spend workforce dollars “in the way that makes the most sense for them.” She describes consolidating all federal workforce development programs into a single Make America Skilled Again grant, with DOL funding reduced by 35%. Some would call it a block grant. I would call it risky.  

How can we be sure that governors will spend the money according to WIOA law to serve all communities and reach the most vulnerable populations? How can we be sure that the needs of local businesses continue to be prioritized, as they currently are by local workforce boards?  

In short, we can’t. 

The proposal to consolidate federal programs and shift to states would undermine a proven nationwide network of Job Centers, neglect local businesses’ insights crucial for workforce planning, and upend public-private partnerships.  

We already know that the current 15% governors’ set-aside under WIOA would benefit from clearer accountability and transparency measures to ensure it fully addresses statewide workforce needs. Expanding governors’ authority over 100% of workforce funding without clear guidelines risks weakening the locally driven services and partnerships that have proven essential for meeting workforce needs in communities throughout the country. 

Businesses in America today are struggling to fill over seven million jobs. They need economic stability, access to skilled jobseekers, and multiple training opportunities including apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and work study to ensure a strong and successful talent pipeline.  

Federal investments in workforce development already yield immense dividends, including $66 billion in annual wages earned by newly employed workers, reduced reliance on public assistance, business growth and productivity, and increased U.S. competitiveness.   

Congress should indeed provide pathways to help Americans become skilled and employed. Dissolving the very system that already gets the job done is not the way. 

Advancing Economic Mobility: How Workforce Boards Are Using Data to Better Support Parents

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Since 2016, The National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) and Innovate+Educate have partnered on the Family Centered Employment (FCE) initiative, recognizing that supporting parents is a powerful lever for community economic growth. This strategic partnership has revealed that when workforce systems identify and address parents’ unique needs—particularly through childcare access and coordinated support services—they have the potential to unlock greater workforce participation and career advancement opportunities that benefit entire families.  

In the fall of 2024, thanks to support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, NAWB collaborated with Social Policy Research Associates (SPR) to explore how workforce boards collect and use parent data in practice. Our national survey brought to light a critical insight: while many workforce boards recognize the importance of parent-centered approaches, gaps remain between intention and implementation. These findings not only highlight current challenges but also present compelling opportunities to transform how the workforce system serves parents—potentially impacting thousands of families nationwide. 

Key Findings 

  • 86% of survey respondents collect data on parental status, mostly for WIOA eligibility, yet 60% don’t clearly define “parent.” 
  • Over 70% use parental data to inform or update local WIOA plans. 
  • 88% partner with parent-serving organizations, but only 59% formally reflect those partnerships in their plans. 
  • Most WDBs want to collect more data, especially around childcare needs and benefit eligibility, to improve services. 

Why It Matters

Knowing that a jobseeker is a parent helps WDBs tailor services—from scheduling to supportive programs. But without consistent definitions, better data systems, and formal sharing agreements, WDBs face barriers to fully leverage this information. 

Looking Ahead 

While the survey provides a foundation for understanding the current parental data collected in the workforce system, it only scratches the surface. Further exploration with a diverse sample of WDB respondents from varying geographic locations, size, and staff roles could inform program design and systemic solutions. Topics may include:  

  • How WDBs define “parent” and collect related data 
  • Challenges and solutions in data collection 
  • Opportunities to streamline efforts through partnerships and shared tools 
  • Identifying promising practices to focus on for future data collection 

By improving how parental data is collected and used, WDBs can strengthen pathways to economic mobility—not just for individuals, but for entire families. NAWB will continue to share data and best practices to support family-centered employment strategies as the field evolves.  

Learn more about the survey and read the full report. 

NAWB Joins NLC, USCM, NACO, USWA in Laying Out WIOA Reauthorization Recommendations

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May 7, 2025— This week, NAWB was proud to co-author a letter laying out formal recommendations for congress as they consider reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

The letter – signed by NAWB President & CEO Brad Turner–Little; National League of Cities CEO and Executive Director Clarence Anthony; US Conference of Mayors CEO and Executive Director, Tom Cochran; National Association of Counties CEO and Executive Director, Matthew Chase; and US Workforce Associations Director, Ryan Hundt – lays out a set of specific recommendations for how Congress can streamline, improve, and strengthen the public workforce system.

“Locally WIOA has been successful in leveraging funds for activities like apprenticeships, summer youth programs, adult and youth career exploration and piloting innovative opportunities for new businesses,” the letter states. “As the network that serves job seekers and small businesses and supports strong local economies, the one stop career system is a stable and critical partner to economic development and is recognized as one of the most impactful and remunerative investments Congress has made, and can continue to make, in the years ahead.”

Read the letter now.

President’s FY26 Budget Proposes Deep Cuts to Workforce Development Programs

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President Trump’s initial FY26 budget, released today, proposed to dramatically reduce non-defense discretionary investments, where workforce development and other domestic program funding is derived, by $1.63 billion or 22.6% overall. The budget proposes to increase defense spending by 13% and further proposes a 65% percent increase in funding for the Department of Homeland Security. This proposal now goes to Capitol Hill to be considered by the Appropriations Committees.

This initial release from the Administration does not include significant details regarding program-level funding, which is expected to be provided at a later date. Nevertheless, the high-level information released today indicates that the President is proposing a $4.6 billion reduction in funding for the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)—a 35% cut over currently enacted levels.

Throughout the budget request, a significant amount of program elimination or consolidation has been proposed. As part of these components of the budget, the Administration is proposing to create a new consolidated workforce grant program dubbed “Make America Skilled Again” (MASA) which would combine a number of existing workforce development programs into a single programmatic grant. The budget request indicates that the total amount for these grants would reduce current funding levels overall by $1.64 billion.

Current FY25 funding for workforce development programs under Title I of WIOA is currently $5.67 billion, meaning that MASA likely represents a roughly 29% reduction in the federal investment for a number of workforce development programs under this portion of the budget. The budget request provides the following information and related justification for MASA:

“Consistent with the Administration’s efforts to promote the full range of post-secondary education and training options, the Budget proposes to give States and localities the flexibility to spend workforce dollars to best support their workers and economies, instead of funneling taxpayer dollars to progressive non-profits finding work for illegal immigrants or focusing on DEI. Under the last administration, these grant programs funded things such as: certifying Minnesota employers that were ‘committed to advancing DEI in their workplace cultures and communities’; promoting the hiring of illegal aliens and migrants; sometimes providing them subsidized housing in addition to a job; and green jobs in California. States would now have more control and flexibility to coordinate with employers and would have to spend at least 10 percent of their MASA grant on apprenticeship, a proven model that trains workers while they earn a paycheck and offers a valuable alternative to college.”

In addition, the budget request proposes to completely eliminate Job Corps, the Senior Community Service Employment Program, and Adult Education funding under Title II of WIOA.

A high-level overview of this initial budget request can be found here, while a slightly more detailed version of the request can be accessed here .

NAWB will continue to advocate for the highest possible funding levels and to try to learn more about the proposed consolidation. We encourage our members to contact Congress (per our Policy Alert from earlier this week) to urge them to prioritize funding for workforce development.

President Trump Signs Executive Order on Workforce Development and Skilled Trades

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April 24, 2025– Last night, President Trump signed a slew of Executive Orders (EOs) pertaining to a number of topics, including workforce development. Among these EOs was one titled Preparing Americans for High-paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future.

This EO is focused on the Trump Administration’s wider efforts to reinvigorate domestic manufacturing in the United States. As acknowledged by the EO, a robust and skilled workforce is an essential component of these wider efforts being undertaken by the Administration.

Key aspects of this EO include:

  • The Development of a Comprehensive Workforce Strategy report: The EO directs the Secretaries of Labor, Commerce, and Education to review all federal workforce development programs within 90 days. They must identify opportunities to integrate and realign resources to address critical workforce needs, propose administrative reforms, and recommend the restructuring or elimination of ineffective programs. The strategy also emphasizes investing in upskilling incumbent workers and exploring alternative credentials to the traditional four-year college degree.
  • Expands Registered Apprenticeships: Over the next 120 days, the EO directs these same Departments to develop a plan to increase the number of active apprentices in America to one million. This plan will examine how to expand apprenticeship opportunities into new and emerging economic sectors and opportunities to leverage existing federal investments in postsecondary student aid and Career and Technical Education (CTE).
  • Transparency and Accountability: The EO calls on the Departments of Labor, Commerce, and Education to improve data transparency on workforce performance outcomes and related credentials.

Read the Secretary of Labor’s response.

NAWB is continuing to analyze this and other EOs for potential impacts for the wider workforce development community and will continue to share updates as they are available.

We welcome members’ perspectives on this new development in the coming weeks ahead as federal agencies begin to develop plans to implement this latest executive action.

NAWB, ACCE, and IEDC Sign Commitment to Showcase the Power of Local Partnership

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At NAWB’s annual conference, The Forum, President and CEO, Brad Turner–Little, was joined on the main stage by  Sheree Anne Kelly , President and CEO,  Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) and Nathan Ohle, President and CEO, International Economic Development Council (IEDC) where they discussed the powerful results that stem from collaboration between chambers of commerce, economic development organizations and workforce boards. The three industry leaders committed to work together over the next year to lift impactful examples of collaboration so that all three networks can have ready approaches to learn from and experiment with in their respective communities.

Ohle commented that “thriving economies are built on collaboration, especially at the local level. Together, ACCE, IEDC, and NAWB, along with our respective memberships, are committed to showcasing the power of local partnerships and driving economic success through shared vision and intentional collaboration.”

“Aligning key stakeholders around a shared vision of regional prosperity is a powerful tool for creating vibrant and growing economies,” Kelly said. “This agreement is a commitment from our associations to encourage increased local partnerships, share best practices and showcase how collaboration leads to stronger workforces and thriving communities.”

“At NAWB, we believe the future of workforce and economic development lies in breaking down silos and building strong, local partnerships,” said Turner–Little. “This collaboration with ACCE and IEDC is about more than just alignment—it’s about action. Together, we’re creating a united front that empowers communities to innovate, share what works, and drive real, lasting impact for workers and businesses alike.”

Read the signed commitment.

 

About  ACCE:

Established in 1914, ACCE—the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives—serves more than 9,000 leaders from 1,300 chambers of commerce, including 93 of the top 100 metro areas in the U.S. Hundreds of other businesses and organizations, like convention and visitors bureaus and economic development organizations, are also ACCE members. Members look to ACCE for best practices, industry trends, corporate partners, networking, and new ideas to advance the interests of their communities.

About IEDC:

The IEDC is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 4,500 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers typically work for cities, counties, states, public-private partnerships, and chambers of commerce and promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities, by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth, and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members are engaged in the full range of economic development experiences.

About NAWB:

The National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) represents and advocates for the more than 570 workforce development boards across the nation. By collaborating with business leaders, educational institutions, and economic developers, workforce boards create tailored programs that address the evolving needs of local businesses, jobseekers, and communities. As the only association dedicated to supporting workforce development boards, NAWB actively engages with policymakers on Capitol Hill to shape workforce strategy and strengthen partnerships with education, economic development, labor, and business.

National Association of Workforce Boards Announces 2025 NAWB Award Recipients

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The National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) today announced the recipients of the 2025 NAWB Awards: Excellence in Community College Partnership, the Laurie Moran Partnership Award, WIOA Trailblazer, W.O. Lawton, and the Workforce Advocacy and Policy Award. The winners for the NAWB Awards were chosen by a subcommittee of NAWB’s board of directors.

Maricopa County Workforce Development Board is the recipient of the in Community College Partnership Award for its ongoing work with Maricopa County Corporate College (MCOR). Together, they have provided jobseekers with personalized career pathways, skills assessments, and direct connections to local employers in high-demand industries across one of the nation’s most populous and geographically expansive counties.

CareerSource Broward is the recipient of the Laurie Moran Partnership Award for its impactful partnership with the Greater Fort Lauderdale and Greater Hollywood Chambers of Commerce, which provide businesses with work-based training grants, workforce solutions, and large-scale events that support upskilling, job placement, and business growth in Broward County. Together, they have created multiple large-scale events and employer forums that have connected thousands of job seekers with local businesses.

Workforce Development Council of Seattle King County is the recipient of the WIOA Trailblazer Award for its innovative, community-driven strategic planning process, which includes “Recover Better: A Regional Plan for Equitable Economic Recovery” and the creation of a subrecipient funding model that expanded partnerships with community organizations, provided digital access, and supported workforce solutions for underserved populations, including immigrants, refugees, and individuals facing systemic barriers.

Angel Sanchez, Jr., CEO of Phenix Technology, is the recipient of the W.O. Lawton Award for creating inclusive workforce opportunities for neurodiverse individuals through the Opportunity for All program, which provides job training, skill development, and personal growth opportunities, helping individuals with developmental disabilities build sustainable careers.

Tina Roper is the recipient of the Workforce Advocacy and Policy Award for her active advocacy, especially with members of the Louisiana Congressional delegation, during the most recent effort to reauthorize WIOA. Tina was tenacious in highlighting the need to preserve local workforce boards’ autonomy and flexibility to serve both jobseekers and businesses, and the need for increased funding for the public workforce system.

“The recipients of this year’s NAWB Awards and Congressional Workforce Champion Awards embody the dedication and innovation that drive workforce success. Their efforts are transforming lives, strengthening communities, and shaping the future of work. We are deeply grateful for their commitment to empowering jobseekers and businesses alike,” said Brad Turner-Little, President and CEO of NAWB. “Thank you for your leadership and for championing a stronger, more inclusive workforce.”

Tomorrow, we will hold a ceremony at the Capitol Visitors Center for the Congressional Workforce Champion Awards which honor members of Congress who craft, champion, and support our nation’s workforce development system. These award winners were chosen by NAWB’s Policy Committee.

Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) for her commitment to crafting policies that directly benefit workers and businesses, like the Skilled Workforce for America Act.

Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) for his support of the Floridian workforce development system and his steadfast belief that workforce development is economic development.

Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) for his constant creation and support of workforce development bills while simultaneously in communication with local workforce development boards and Michigan Works!

Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY) for playing a key role in securing major workforce-related funding for Eastern Kentucky, including support of a $40 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) for Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) to implement the Eastern Kentucky Runway Project.

About the National Association of Workforce Boards and the NAWB Awards

The National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) represents and advocates for the nation’s more than 580 workforce development boards, which coordinate with business and economic development stakeholders to administer regional workforce programs which meet the needs of jobseekers, businesses, and communities. For more information on NAWB’s latest work and new initiatives, visit www.nawb.org.

Presented annually at The Forum, NAWB Awards recognize the most innovative and impactful work being done by workforce development boards and their partners. The Awards honor efforts which provide models for the nation’s workforce system: programs and partnerships which have transcended the expected and achieved the extraordinary for workers, businesses, and communities.