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.
Frontline Workforce Professionals: It’s Time to Move Beyond Superficial AI Use
Across workplaces, AI has quietly shifted from “future trend” to everyday tool. Recent surveys show that more than half of workers have already used AI on the job, and most say it helps them work faster and improve the quality of what they produce. For many frontline workforce professionals, though, AI is still something we […]
Celebrate the Season with Oregon IAWP in Salem
The Oregon Chapter of the International Association of Workforce Professionals invites you and your family to a special holiday celebration at the Salem Carousel on December 6, 2025, from 6:00–8:00 PM. This festive evening is our way of thanking workforce professionals for the dedication, compassion, and service you bring to your communities throughout the year. […]
The Latest Jobs Report: What It Means for Workforce Professionals on the Front Lines
The newest jobs report finally arrived — late, thanks to the long federal shutdown — and it paints a picture that’s a bit mixed. On the upside, employers added around 119,000 new jobs in September, more than double what many economists expected. That suggests hiring hasn’t stopped, even as the economy slows. But here’s the […]
The Quiet Freeze: Why Hiring Has Slowed — Even Though the Economy Isn’t in Trouble
If you’ve been watching the labor market closely, you’ve probably noticed something unusual. Job postings are down. Hiring decisions are taking longer. But layoffs are minimal, unemployment remains low, and the broader economy isn’t flashing recession signs. This slowdown-without-a-downturn is what many analysts are calling a Quiet Freeze. And it’s one of the most important […]
Navigating SNAP Work Requirements: What Workforce Professionals Need to Know
The expansion of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) work requirements is reshaping how millions of people interact with the workforce system. For many jobseekers, maintaining food assistance now hinges on meeting an 80-hour per month threshold through employment, volunteer service, or job training. This shift means workforce development professionals are no longer just helping people […]
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 — […]