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New Federal Guidance for State UI Plans: What Workforce Professionals Need to Know

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On July 24, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor released Unemployment Insurance Program Letter (UIPL) No. 14-25, officially launching the next round of planning for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 State Quality Service Plans. If you work in or alongside unemployment insurance (UI) programs—or support job seekers affected by them—this guidance will shape your priorities […]

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Federal Realignment Brings Adult Education and Career Training Under Department of Labor Oversight

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On July 15, 2025, the U.S. Departments of Labor and Education jointly announced a structural realignment that changes how certain federally funded education and workforce programs are administered. Under the new arrangement, the Department of Labor (DOL) will take over management of two major programs previously administered by the Department of Education: WIOA Title II:

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Adapting to Change: How Workforce Professionals Can Lead Through Federal Shifts

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If you work in a state workforce agency, you’re probably already feeling it: the winds are shifting. Federal workforce priorities are changing, and those changes are making their way from policy memos to your daily work. What happens in D.C. may seem far away, but let’s be honest—it shows up pretty quickly in our centers,

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The New Currency of Hiring: Why Skills Are Overtaking Degrees

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For decades, a college degree served as a universal signal of employability. It appeared on job descriptions as a default requirement—even when the actual work did not require the knowledge gained in a formal classroom setting. Today, that dynamic is changing rapidly. Across industries, employers are moving away from degree-based hiring toward a skills-first approach.

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How Workforce Development Must Evolve: Top 5 Skills for 2025 and Beyond

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In a labor market defined by rapid technological change, demographic shifts, and evolving employer expectations, workforce development professionals face a critical challenge: Are we training for the jobs of today or preparing for the skills of tomorrow? The International Association of Workforce Professionals (IAWP) believes that staying relevant requires more than adapting to change—it means

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Your Strategic Compass: Navigating H.R. 1, The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, in Workforce Development

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As leaders in workforce development, you’re constantly looking ahead, anticipating shifts that impact the individuals and businesses you serve. Well, a significant piece of legislation just landed that demands our strategic attention: H.R. 1, officially known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA). This isn’t just another bill with a few tweaks here and

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IAWP Workforce Insights & Action Brief Q2 2025 Edition

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Welcome to the Q2 2025 Edition In a rapidly evolving labor market, staying ahead requires timely data, sharp analysis, and proactive solutions. The IAWP Workforce Insights & Action Brief delivers curated intelligence to help workforce professionals, employers, and partners navigate current trends, challenges, and opportunities. Our mission: Data-driven insights. Actionable strategies. Workforce excellence. 🔍 Job

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Federal Medicaid Work Requirements Advance in Congress, Posing Major Shifts for Workforce Systems

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A legislative proposal to establish nationwide work requirements for certain Medicaid recipients has advanced in Congress, signaling a potential fundamental shift in the 60-year-old social insurance program. Passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in a major reconciliation package (H.R. 1), the measure would condition healthcare access for millions of able-bodied adults on their participation

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