NAWB Board Chair Submits Testimony to House Small Business Committee Subcommittee on Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Workforce Development

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Official Testimony

My name is Lisanne McNew, and I am the owner and CEO of SAFE Engineering in Monument, Colorado. Additionally, I serve as the Board Chair of the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB), Immediate Past Chair of the Colorado Workforce Development Council, and Past Board Chair of the Pikes Peak Workforce Development Board in Colorado Springs.

I appreciate the opportunity to testify today about the vital role of small businesses in workforce development and the support provided by workforce boards.

In Colorado, the Pikes Peak Workforce Development Board and our Workforce Center connect businesses with work-ready job seekers and employer-driven services. We assist residents of El Paso and Teller Counties in navigating career transitions—whether they are unemployed, underemployed, or facing other barriers. Our clients range from entry-level to professional, including youth, adults, returning workers, and those overcoming employment challenges. We offer job search and training opportunities, including 20 free job seeker workshops annually, as well as the largest virtual and in-person job fairs in Southern Colorado.

I’d like to share a few key initiatives that highlight our collaboration in small business development:

  • Incumbent Worker Training (IWT): We actively engage with Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) to promote our programs, including the popular IWT (Employee Development Fund). Recently, five childcare businesses collaborated with an SBDC to apply for IWT grants, resulting in three businesses receiving $15,157 to upskill 38 employees—crucial for sustaining our local childcare workforce. With more resources, workforce boards could expand these efforts significantly.
  • Veterans: We participate in the SBDC’s Veterans Conference to assist veteran-owned businesses in attracting and retaining talent. We provide guidance on skills-based hiring, job descriptions, and other support to help them grow. Our Workforce Development Board is proud of this commitment.
  • Cybersecurity: As cybersecurity becomes increasingly critical for business success, we connect small businesses with high-quality training and resources. We are developing specific training on cybersecurity best practices for small businesses and regularly participate in cybersecurity initiatives to link workers with employers in this vital sector.

The potential for greater integration between workforce boards and small businesses is significant. Earlier this year, NAWB and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) signed a Strategic Alliance Memorandum (SAM) to enhance collaboration and resource access.

The SBA is an ideal partner for NAWB, representing nearly 600 Workforce Development Boards that collaborate with education and economic development stakeholders to deliver regional workforce programs tailored to job seekers, businesses, and communities. Workforce boards manage over 2,300 American Job Centers and partner with various organizations to serve both businesses and job seekers effectively.

By providing SBA-sponsored assistance through its resource partners, we can better address the challenges of training and support services for small businesses, increasing awareness of available resources.

I hope my testimony illustrates the opportunities for workforce boards to bolster small businesses. Thank you for allowing me to share these insights with the Subcommittee.

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

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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.

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.

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.

Highlights from NAWB’s Forum 2024

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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!