News

DOL Emphasizes Work Authorization in Unemployment Benefit Eligibility: Implications for State Workforce Agencies

News

A recent communication from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has placed renewed emphasis on the eligibility requirements for unemployment benefits, specifically highlighting the necessity of ensuring that recipients are legally authorized to work in the United States. Addressed to state governors, the DOL letter underscores the importance of safeguarding taxpayer funds and maintaining the […]

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Registered Apprenticeships: Expanding Access to High-Quality Career Pathways

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As workforce development efforts increasingly emphasize skill-based hiring and industry-aligned training, Registered Apprenticeships have gained renewed attention. A central component of recent federal initiatives—including the April 2025 Executive Order on skilled trade jobs—is the expansion of Registered Apprenticeship programs in high-growth sectors. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the model, its history, implementation strategies,

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Workforce Executive Order Highlights Federal Focus on Skilled Trade Jobs

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On April 23, 2025, the White House issued an Executive Order titled Preparing Americans for High-Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future. The action is part of a broader workforce strategy to review and revise federal programs supporting the development of technical and skilled trade occupations. A companion fact sheet outlines the administration’s rationale and

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The New Skills Agenda: Redesigning Workforce Development for a Changing Labor Market

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A recent Brookings Institution report, titled Workforce Development Policy in the U.S., provides a comprehensive analysis of the evolving landscape of workforce development programs in the United States. The report delves into federal and state-level initiatives, highlighting challenges and proposing solutions pertinent to workforce development professionals.​ Key Challenges Identified 1. Structural Economic Shifts The U.S.

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Where Did the Workers Go? Understanding and Addressing Declining Workforce Participation Rates

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In recent years, workforce development professionals and employers alike have been asking a critical question: Where did the workers go? While job openings remain high in many sectors, labor force participation has yet to rebound to pre-pandemic levels. Understanding why—and what can be done about it—is essential to building a more inclusive, resilient workforce. What

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Workforce and Economic Development

Better Together: Aligning Workforce and Economic Development for Stronger Outcomes

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In today’s fast-changing economy, the traditional separation between workforce development and economic development is increasingly obsolete. Both fields ultimately pursue the same goal—prosperous communities supported by a thriving workforce and strong local businesses. But all too often, they operate in silos. To meet the challenges of the 21st-century labor market, we must recognize a truth

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How Workforce Development Must Evolve: Top 2025 Insights

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As workforce development professionals, we stand at a pivotal moment. The evolving nature of work, the rapid advancement of technology, and shifting worker expectations demand new strategies, faster innovation, and deeper understanding. Fortunately, the Deloitte 2025 Global Human Capital Trends Report, titled “Turning Tensions into Triumphs: Helping Leaders Transform Uncertainty into Opportunity,” delivers timely and

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Workforce Development Through Community Collaboration

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The Case for Community Partnerships Workforce development is changing fast. Today, success isn’t just about what your organization offers—it’s about how well you work with others in your community. Helping jobseekers thrive takes more than job boards or training programs. Whether supporting youth, veterans, people with disabilities, reentry populations, or the long-term unemployed, partnerships are

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