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

Posted on by Zac Wilkes

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.

Election 2024: Initial Takeaways

Posted on by Support

Here’s What We Know:

  • Donald Trump has been elected as the 47th President of the United States. In his previous term, the former President supported workforce development policies that emphasized employers’ roles and contributions to the workforce system.
  • Republicans have regained control of the U.S. Senate for the 119th Congress, which begins in January, but the final margin of control is still being sorted out.
  • The Senate Republican conference is expected to begin deliberations to elect a new Majority Leader in the next few weeks. Current frontrunners for this position are Senators John Thune (R-SD), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Rick Scott (R-FL).
  • As the party controlling the Senate, Republicans will serve as Chair of each Senate committee:
  • The Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee will likely be led by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA).
  • The Senate Appropriations Committee will likely be chaired by Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME).
  • There will be many new U.S. Senators in the 119th Congress, including:
    • Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD)
    • Jim Banks (R-IN)
    • John Curtis (R-UT)
    • Jim Justice (R-WV)
    • Andy Kim (D-NJ)
    • Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio)
    • Pete Ricketts (R-NE)
    • Adam Schiff (D-CA)
    • Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE)
    • Tim Sheehy (R-MT)
  • Several races are still too close to call.
  • U.S. House races will take more time to be determined, so control of the House remains uncertain at this time.

Here’s What’s Next:

  • NAWB will share information as it becomes available on committee leadership, the final makeup of Congress, and prospects for workforce policy in the 119th Congress.
  • NAWB will advocate for a strong investment in workforce development in the new president’s budget, inaugural address, and Cabinet nominations. This includes reaching out to the White House Transition Team.
  • NAWB will host a special post-election Public Policy PowerUp for our members on Friday, Nov. 22, at 1pm EST.
  • NAWB is already planning Workforce Advocacy Day, which will take place immediately following The Forum in Washington DC.

Here’s What You Can Do:

  • Tell us about your connections to newly-elected (or re-elected) members of Congress or local officials. This will help us in planning our advocacy throughout the year. Email us at nawb@nawb.org
  • Plan to join us for Workforce Advocacy Day. This is the ideal opportunity to tell the powerful story of workforce development in your community and to build strong relationships with our elected officials in Washington.
  • Congratulate everyone in your community who ran for office, even if they didn’t win. This is a great way to acknowledge community leaders and build relationships with potential future leaders.

Your Voice Matters:

Every new member of Congress will come to Washington with a different level of knowledge about the workforce development system. It will be up to all of us to educate them about how the system serves their constituents and how Congress can bolster it.

NAWB is committed to providing the tools and resources needed to advocate effectively on these issues.

A Conversation with Jose Javier Rodriguez: A Recap

Posted on by Support

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

Posted on by Support

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.

NAWB Feedback to Senate on WIOA Reauthorization Discussion Draft

Posted on by Support

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

Posted on by Support

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.

Highlights from NAWB’s Forum 2024

Posted on by Support

The Forum 2024: Forging Tomorrow’s Workforce Today

The Forum 2024, held March 23–26 in Washington DC, brought together 1,300 attendees, more than 200 speakers, over 60 breakout sessions, six general sessions, and five NAWB Awards presentations. This year marked the debut of NAWB’s new abbreviated logo and the introduction of our new President and CEO, Brad Turner-Little, who served as MC during all general sessions.

Highlights from The Forum 2024

NAWBTown:

The event’s central hub for networking, NAWBTown, featured Sponsor Zones, the Member Zone, and the Town Square, which hosted the Welcome Reception, Jazz in the Park, headlined by DC’s beloved jazz band, Secret Society.

Day One:

NAWB Board Chair Lisanne McNew set the tone with an energetic entrance, dancing onto the stage to a live DJ. She introduced Brad Turner-Little, who shared his vision for NAWB and the workforce development community. Keynote speaker Eric Termuende, best-selling author and workforce trends expert, captivated the audience with insights on trust within teams and communities.

Local Business Sunday:

Attendees supported Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle businesses using $25 vouchers courtesy of NAWB, fostering connections with the local economy.

Day Two:

Inspiring remarks came from Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, and Kristen Christy, America’s Resilience Trainer. Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman of the SBA joined Lisanne McNew to announce a new partnership between NAWB and the SBA.

Federal Policy Updates:

The packed session covered FY24/25 budgets, WIOA reauthorization, short-term Pell reform, and National Apprenticeship Act (NAA) reauthorization.

DOL Day (Day Three):

DOL Regional Administrators and NAWB Regional Liaisons hosted discussions on workforce challenges in six US DOL regions. The day concluded with remarks from Deputy Assistant Secretary Lenita Jacobs-Simmons and White House Senior Advisor Tom Perez. Additional sessions, led by NSF and USDA, focused on job quality, innovation, and rural workforce development.

Breakout Sessions:

Topics included virtual reality in apprenticeships, workforce strategies for justice-involved individuals, clean technology, DEIAB, childcare’s role in workforce development, and demystifying AI.

For more highlights, check out #NAWBForum24 on X, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Save the Date! Join us March 29–April 2, 2025, in Washington DC for the next Forum!