Workforce Development Month Archives

Workforce Development Month Recap

Posted on October 11, 2024June 10, 2025 by Support

Workforce Development Month 2024 was an exciting time for NAWB and our members. Here are some highlights:

Throughout the Month:

We highlighted testimonials from The Forum 2024, facilitated by Equus. Workforce leaders
shared their thoughts on the importance of workforce development and its significance in our economy. Our goal was to spark conversations about workforce boards, the work they do, and the unique ways they serve their communities.

Week Two:

We emphasized advocacy efforts, showcasing the initiatives of NAWB member EmployIndy at local, state, and federal levels. Our new Advocacy Toolkit was reintroduced to empower you in advocating for your workforce development board and the broader system. Additionally, NAWB President and CEO, Brad Turner-Little, engaged in discussions on two podcasts, offering insights about the workforce development landscape and promoting the .

Week Three:

We focused on NAWB’s role in supporting your efforts, featuring inspiring success stories, including the story of Elkanah from Workforce Solutions Dallas, who transitioned from homelessness to gainful employment and stable housing. Be sure to check out our collection of success stories, showcasing our members’ impact on their communities.

Final Week:

In the last week of Workforce Development Month, we turned our attention to partnerships between workforce development boards and local businesses. This was highlighted by a video from the Director of the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity, who discussed the importance of vision planning and collaboration in workforce development.

Workforce Development Month illuminated the impactful contributions of the workforce development community. We take pride in the advocacy efforts led by our members and the inspiring success stories that reflect the transformative potential of our collective work. We look forward to continuing this momentum and further strengthening our workforce development initiatives together.

Looking for more resources and stories?

Check out our podcast, Workforce Central, where Brad Turner-Little interviews local leaders in workforce development, education, business, and economic development.

Bi-Partisan House Resolution Supporting September 2024 as “National Workforce Development Month” Introduced

Posted on September 18, 2024June 10, 2025 by Support

A bipartisan group of House members introduced House Resolution 1453

Reps. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Glenn (GT) Thompson (R-PA), and Lucy McBath (D-GA), introduced the resolution which recognizes the vital role of workforce development in supporting jobseekers, businesses, and local economies. The resolution designates September 2024 as National Workforce Development Month.

Brad Turner-Little, President and CEO of NAWB stated,

“We are thrilled to see a bipartisan group of members of Congress taking action to recognize the vital economic role of workforce development… It is heartening to see the collaboration, often led by workforce development boards, receive this kind of recognition from Congress.”

The resolution specifically highlights that collaboration among multiple stakeholders—including state and local governments, workforce development boards, governors, state and local education and human services agencies, community colleges, local businesses, employment service providers, and community-based organizations—is essential for long-term, sustainable, and successful workforce development across traditional sectors and emerging industries.

The resolution also stresses the critical need for increased investment in workforce development, noting the following statistics:

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in July 2024 that there are approximately 8.2 million unfilled jobs in the U.S., which negatively impacts corporate productivity, reduces the local tax base, and hinders global competitiveness.
76% of business leaders say that greater support for skills development would help their businesses.
As of August 2024, in the U.S., there are:
- 7.1 million unemployed individuals.
- Unemployment rates for Black and Hispanic adults are significantly higher than for White adults.
- Workers without postsecondary education and skills development are more likely to be unemployed.
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) supports employment, skills development, and support services for approximately 2.9 million individuals with barriers to employment, including:
- Low-income individuals.
- Long-term unemployed individuals.
- Individuals displaced by outsourcing.
- Individuals living in rural or persistently high unemployment areas.
- Individuals looking to acquire new skills.
- Individuals with disabilities.

The more than 550 workforce development boards and 2,400 American Job Centers are a driving force behind regional economic growth by providing resources and assistance to workers striving to compete in the 21st-century economy.

Read the full resolution here.

ACT NOW:

Contact your member of the House of Representatives (find them online or dial the House switchboard at 202-225-3121 and ask to be connected to your representative). Ask them to cosponsor House Resolution 1453 to recognize September 2024 as National Workforce Development Month.

Workforce Development Month 2024: EmployIndy’s Site Visit Success

Posted on September 10, 2024June 10, 2025 by Support

Celebrating Workforce Development Month and EmployIndy’s Advocacy Efforts

Every September, we celebrate Workforce Development Month to recognize, honor, and publicize the contributions of our nation’s workforce development professionals. Throughout the year, we’ve received countless messages, writeups, and articles about your work and the success of your organizations. We are proud to share these as a testament to the innovative and life-changing work being done by our nation’s workforce development boards.

EmployIndy has done exceptional advocacy work over the past year, from local to state to federal levels. They have been a forerunner in advocacy, using all available tools and leaning on NAWB whenever we can offer assistance. We are thrilled to have such passionate and consistent members advocating on behalf of the workforce system and are proud to have been a supportive partner in these efforts.

“NAWB’s advocacy resources have been especially useful as we’ve engaged with our representation. They’ve been invaluable in quickly finding up-to-date information on federal policies and legislation, identifying areas of impact for our local area, and prioritizing which talking points and narratives to share with our congressional delegation. It has definitely helped hone our messaging!”
— Kevin Duffy, Senior Director, External Affairs, EmployIndy

Here are some of the actions that EmployIndy has taken to advocate for their needs and the broader workforce system:

Local Level

EmployIndy conducted their first Lunch and Learn for Indianapolis City-County Council members in July, offering crucial localized labor market information, sharing updates on city-funded programs, and providing a tour of their comprehensive American Job Center (AJC). They plan to conduct more Lunch and Learns with city council members in the future.

State-Wide

EmployIndy began bipartisan outreach to their local state legislature delegation, hosting two site visits with State Representatives Julie McGuire (R) and Carey Hamilton (D). Both visits were scheduled during Wednesdays at WorkOne, a weekly hiring event that brings over 20 employers and hundreds of jobseekers to the AJC.

In partnership with the Indiana Workforce Board Alliance (INWBA), EmployIndy also participated in INWBA Day at the Statehouse during the legislative session this past spring. This event sparked conversations leading to state legislature site visits. Future endeavors include outreach to the State Senate and House Education Committees for a Lunch and Learn at their AJC.

Federal Level

EmployIndy continues to engage with their congressional delegation to advocate for workforce development priorities, including Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) reauthorization, Department of Labor (DOL) Apprenticeship rulemaking, and agency appropriations.

They also hosted two separate site visits for congressional staff:

Jason Johnson from Senator Mike Braun’s office visited the AJC for a discussion and presentation on the workforce system. Other representatives from INWBA joined the meeting to share perspectives from across the state. This visit not only advocated for the workforce system at the federal level but also set the stage for potential future collaborations at the state level.
Andrew Murray from Senator Todd Young’s office toured the AJC to learn about EmployIndy’s services, including highlights from federal investments like the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors Act and the American Rescue Plan. They also connected Andrew with one of their adult education partners, Warren Township Adult Education, for a concurrent visit and discussion on the role of adult education in workforce development.