Member PortalRemembering Lenita Jacobs-Simmons: a True Workforce Development Champion
NAWB was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Lenita Jacob-Simmons at the end of June. Lenita was a force in the workforce development world. She was a dedicated leader at the US Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration whose work touched countless programs, professionals, and lives.
More than her impressive career, Lenita was known for championing others. She believed in the power of work to transform lives and communities. Many of us were lucky to learn from her, be encouraged by her and inspired by her.
We are privileged to have her son, Walter Simmons, on our Board of Directors. His leadership locally at Employ Prince George’s and nationally with us at NAWB and our friends at the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals is a beautiful reflection of Lenita’s values and legacy.
To honor her work and spirit, her family has established the Lenita Jacobs-Simmons Memorial Fund, with the Greater Washington Community Foundation to support workforce development professionals’ own professional development.
DOL ETA Issues Series of New Regulatory Proposals
NAWB Joins NLC, USCM, NACO, USWA in Laying Out WIOA Reauthorization Recommendations
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
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 to urge them to prioritize funding for workforce development.
NAWB, ACCE, and IEDC Sign Commitment to Showcase the Power of Local Partnership
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.”
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.
Lori Chavez-DeRemer Confirmed as Secretary of Labor
March 10, 2025 — Today, the U.S. Senate voted 67-32 to confirm President Trump’s choice to lead the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Lori Chavez-DeRemer, a former mayor of Happy Valley, OR and former Republican member of the House of Representatives, is expected to be sworn in tomorrow (Tuesday, March 11) and begin her service at DOL immediately afterward.
“The National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) congratulates Secretary Chavez-DeRemer and looks forward to working with her to support the public workforce system in their vital work to serve businesses and jobseekers alike,” said NAWB President and CEO, Brad Turner-Little. “Together, we will work to ensure that local workforce boards have both the resources and the flexibility to meet the unique needs of their communities.”
In Congress, Chavez-DeRemer was a member of the House Education and Workforce Committee and voted for the A Stronger Workforce for America (ASWA)—the House WIOA reauthorization proposal. She was also a member of the House Agriculture Committee, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Republican Main Street Partnership, Problem Solvers Caucus, Climate Solutions Caucus, and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
At her confirmation hearing last month, Chavez-DeRemer noted that she supports Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) and would support reauthorization of the Workforce Opportunity and Innovation Act. When faced with questions about how the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been operating inside of DOL, she indicated that she would examine these efforts further once confirmed. While Chavez-DeRemer faced some skepticism from Committee Republicans due to her support for the PRO Act—legislation that would make it easier for unions to form and workers to organize—she largely addressed concerns raised during the hearing.
Chavez-DeRemer was formally nominated by President Trump on January 20, 2025, and was approved by the Senate Health Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee on February 27, 2025, by a vote of 14-9. She will become the nation’s 30th Secretary of Labor.