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.
Workforce Executive Order Highlights Federal Focus on Skilled Trade Jobs
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 […]
The New Skills Agenda: Redesigning Workforce Development for a Changing Labor Market
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. […]
Where Did the Workers Go? Understanding and Addressing Declining Workforce Participation Rates
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 […]
Better Together: Aligning Workforce and Economic Development for Stronger Outcomes
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 […]
How Workforce Development Must Evolve: Top 2025 Insights
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 […]
Skills on the Rise: What Workforce Professionals Need to Know
Top 15 Fastest-Growing Skills and What They Mean for the Future of Work As workforce transformation accelerates, staying competitive means staying ahead of the curve. According to the newly released LinkedIn Skills on the Rise 2025, the skills professionals need to succeed are rapidly evolving. By 2030, 70% of the skills used in today’s jobs […]
Workforce Development Through Community Collaboration
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 […]
What a Lightning-Struck Tree Can Teach Workforce Development Professionals About Resilience and Growth
In the tropical rainforests of Central and South America grows a remarkable tree known as Iriartea deltoidea. At first glance, it may appear to be just another palm. But to scientists and naturalists, it represents something far more profound—a living example of how resilience, adaptability, and timing can lead to extraordinary growth. For those of […]
Wage Growth, Job Gains, and Labor Market Shifts—What It Means for Workforce Development
Here’s how workforce development and HR professionals can use the latest BLS Employment Situation Summary to stay ahead of hiring trends, adapt training programs, and make data-driven decisions for both job seekers and businesses. 👉 Read the full report here: BLS Employment Situation Summary Use this report to shape training programs, support job seekers, and […]