News Archives

Flying Blind: How Workforce Development Professionals Adapt When Data Stops

The monthly U.S. jobs report is often our North Star — the snapshot that helps workforce professionals, policymakers, and employers see where the economy is headed. But this month, the data we count on isn’t there. The government shutdown that began October 1 has furloughed the analysts who prepare the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) […]

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When Washington Stops, Workforce Feels It: How a Federal Shutdown Ripples Through Workforce Development

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When the federal government shuts down, it’s easy to think of the big headlines — national parks closing, furloughed federal workers, delayed paychecks. But for those of us in workforce development, a shutdown hits much closer to home. It disrupts the very systems that help people find jobs, access training, and build better futures. Even

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The Essential Partnership: Why State Agencies and Local Boards Must Unite for Success

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When Congress passed the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), it didn’t create two separate organizations; it mandated a single, unified system. The reality, however, is that the crucial link between state-level policy and local-level execution is often the system’s weakest point. The challenge is simple: State agencies set the strategic direction and manage the

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Shifting Ground: Where Workforce Change Creates Opportunity

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The U.S. labor market is never static, and right now two very different stories are unfolding. On one side, clean energy is surging ahead, creating jobs at three times the pace of the overall economy. On the other, healthcare is showing signs of strain, with more than half of frontline workers saying they may leave

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What the New H1-B Visa Fee Means for Workforce Development

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A major change just hit the U.S. labor market conversation: a new $100,000 fee on H-1B visa petitions for workers applying from outside the United States. While existing H-1B holders and renewals aren’t affected, the fee is high enough to make employers pause. For workforce development professionals, the real question isn’t the politics — it’s

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Just Announced: DOL Opens the Door for AI Training with WIOA Funds

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The Department of Labor’s new AI workforce development initiative, launched under the White House’s America’s AI Action Plan, signals a significant shift in national workforce priorities. Artificial intelligence is already reshaping jobs across industries. This program is not simply another policy announcement; it is a call to integrate AI literacy and training into the fabric

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The AI Tsunami: Navigating the Uncharted Waters of Work, Jobs, and Our Collective Future

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Is your career AI-proof? The question is no longer speculative; it’s an immediate reality check. Artificial Intelligence is not just knocking at the door of the global workforce—it’s already inside, fundamentally overhauling industries, redefining essential skills, and redrawing the lines between human endeavor and machine capability. This isn’t a gentle current of change; it’s a

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Making Sense of Credentials: How the Credential Value Index Helps Us See What Really Works

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If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer number of credentials out there, you’re not alone. Certificates, licenses, bootcamps, apprenticeships—today’s learning landscape is crowded, and not all credentials are created equal. Some open doors. Others don’t move the needle at all. That’s where the Credential Value Index (CVI) comes in. Developed by the Burning Glass

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DOL and ED Take Next Step Toward Integration of Workforce and Education Programs

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The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the U.S. Department of Education (ED) recently announced a new step in their ongoing effort to bring workforce and education programs closer together. The move is designed to streamline how federal programs are managed, improve coordination, and reduce duplicative processes for states and local providers. At the center

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Labor Market Crossroads: What Workforce Development Professionals Should Know

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The U.S. labor market has reached a turning point, according to the most recent releases from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) for July, the August Employment Situation report, and the annual benchmark revision released in early September paint a picture of a cooling labor market, shifting

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