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 of this shift is a new integrated state plan portal, which will allow states to submit and manage their four-year Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) plans, as well as required updates, in a single place. This portal is intended to simplify administrative processes and improve collaboration between education and workforce systems.
As part of the agreement, DOL will now oversee day-to-day operations for several programs historically managed by ED. These include the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (WIOA Title II) and career and technical education initiatives funded under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins V). ED will continue to provide statutory oversight and maintain responsibility for ensuring the integrity of these programs, while DOL becomes the operational hub.
Supporters of the realignment point to opportunities for stronger connections between classroom learning and career preparation. By bringing program administration under one department, the federal government hopes to create a more seamless system for learners and jobseekers. Critics, however, have raised concerns about how states will adapt, the potential disruption to existing partnerships, and the long-term impact on education’s role in workforce development.
For workforce development professionals, the key takeaway is that program administration and compliance requirements are shifting. State agencies, local workforce boards, and training providers will begin working more directly with DOL on programs that previously fell under ED. While the transition is still underway, professionals in the field should expect updates to reporting systems, grant management tools, and technical assistance resources.
What does this mean on the ground? For now, services to jobseekers, students, and employers will continue uninterrupted. The shift presents an opportunity to build stronger partnerships between education and workforce programs and to ensure that career pathways remain clear and accessible.
You can read more about the announcement on the Department of Labor’s newsroom at https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osec/osec20250908 and the Department of Education’s press release at https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-and-us-department-of-labor-take-next-steps-implementing-their-workforce-development-partnership.