THE LATEST WORKFORCE NEWS
Save time and subscribe to IAWP’s Workforce at Work newsletter. This newsletter shares with you the hot items from the news on workforce system issues as well as looks at trends, changes in laws and regulations, and what’s next in our profession.
Beyond the Usual Suspects: The Partnerships That Will Shape Workforce Development’s Future
Workforce development has built impressive systems over the years — strong employer partnerships, aligned training programs, braided funding, case management, and wraparound supports. The field continues to innovate, modernize, and refine how it prepares people for meaningful work. Yet many communities are still seeing familiar challenges: Participants who want to succeed but face disruptions they […]
Helping Jobseekers Build Confidence — and Careers — in an AI Era
The world of work is shifting quickly, and it’s understandable that many jobseekers — and even seasoned professionals — feel uncertain about what AI means for their future. We hear messages about jobs changing, industries transforming, and new skills emerging faster than ever. But here’s the truth: AI isn’t here to erase human contribution. It’s […]
Staying Strong in Workforce Development: Resilience in a Role That Matters
There’s something special about people who choose this field. You don’t come to workforce development just for a job — you come because you believe in people, in possibility, and in giving others a chance to move forward. But let’s be honest: believing in others day after day takes energy. Guiding people through setbacks, listening […]
When the Interviewer Isn’t Human — And How We Help People Prepare
There was a time when the biggest interview worry was whether the hiring manager would be friendly or formal, whether the handshake felt confident enough, and whether nerves might sneak into your voice. Today, many candidates never meet a person at first. Instead, they face a webcam, a countdown clock, and an AI system quietly […]
Breaking Down Silos: Building a Unified Talent System for WIOA, Education, and Economic Development
Let’s be honest.When an employer calls your office, they’re not interested in bureaucratic boundaries or acronyms. They don’t care whether the solution comes from a WIOA Title I program or a community college non-credit course. They just need one thing: talent. Yet for decades, we’ve been running three different plays on the same field — […]
Workforce Update: The Great Shift to a Skills-First Economy
The labor market is undergoing one of the biggest transformations in decades. The focus is shifting away from degrees and titles and toward something far more practical—verifiable skills and real-world competencies. This change is being fueled by three powerful forces: a tightening talent market, the rapid pace of technological innovation (especially artificial intelligence), and a […]
The Ripple Effect: How the Federal Shutdown Is Impacting State Workforce Agencies—and What Frontline Staff Can Do About It
When the federal government shut down on October 1, 2025, it was easy to think, “That’s a Washington problem.” But for those of us working in workforce development, the effects are already showing up in real ways. This isn’t just about politics—it’s about how we keep people connected to jobs, training, and opportunity. What’s Happening […]
Unlocking Potential: Helping Job Seekers Discover Their Transferable Skills
A powerful, real-world conversation begins here—right at the front desk of your workforce center. Most job seekers don’t walk in saying, “I’ve got a strong set of transferable skills.” Instead, they shrink their experience into phrases like: “I only worked retail.” “I just took care of my mom.” “I’ve never had a real job.” But […]
Serving the New Generation of Job Seekers: How Gen Z Is Redefining the Workforce Experience
A new generation is stepping into the labor market—and they’re changing it faster than most of us imagined. Generation Z, born roughly between 1997 and 2012, now makes up a growing portion of job seekers, employees, and entrepreneurs. Their expectations, values, and communication styles are reshaping what it means to find, prepare for, and keep […]
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) […]