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.
The Intake Bottleneck: Redesigning First Contact to Keep Jobseekers Engaged
Most workforce professionals have seen this moment. A jobseeker reaches out for help—walking into an American Job Center, logging onto a portal, or making a call—hoping for direction. Instead, they encounter a long intake appointment, repeated questions, and a request to come back later before any real assistance begins. Many never return. As one federal […]
Bipartisan Legislation Proposes National Commission on AI’s Economic and Workforce Impacts
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has introduced legislation that could shape how the nation prepares for the workforce implications of artificial intelligence. The proposed Economy of the Future Commission Act, introduced by Mark Warner (D-VA) and Mike Rounds (R-SD), would establish a national commission charged with examining how AI is likely to reshape the […]
Unlocking Workforce Insights with the American Community Survey (ACS)
Hosted by the International Association of Workforce Professionals (IAWP)Presenter: Monica Dukes, Data Dissemination Specialist, U.S. Census Bureau Date: May 13, 2026Time: 2:00 PM Eastern | 1:00 PM Central | 12:00 PM Mountain | 11:00 AM Pacific At some point in nearly every workforce planning meeting, someone asks questions such as: What does our labor force […]
AI and the Workforce: Key Takeaways from an IAWP Webinar with MIT
At a recent IAWP webinar, workforce professionals had the opportunity to hear from Ben Armstrong, Executive Director of the Industrial Performance Center at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and co-leader of MIT’s Work of the Future Initiative. Armstrong leads research examining how technology affects productivity, skills, and workforce demand across industries including manufacturing, healthcare, finance, […]
Workforce Development Professionals: What AI Is Changing Inside Jobs—Join Us Next Tuesday
On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, IAWP will host a live webinar featuring Ben Armstrong, Executive Director of the Industrial Performance Center at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and co-leader of MIT’s Work of the Future initiative. For workforce development professionals, this conversation is especially timely. Across regions, clients are asking: “Will AI replace my job?” […]
Human Capacity Under Stress: Rethinking Workforce Design for Real-World Conditions
Workforce development has historically focused on skills. Credentials. Career pathways. Sector strategies. Those still matter. But increasingly, the limiting factor in workforce outcomes is not technical capability — it is human capacity under stress. Mental health is not a side issue. It directly affects labor force participation, training completion, interview performance, and retention. When participants […]
$81 Million for Reentry Workforce Programs — And Why You Should Pay Attention
The U.S. Department of Labor has announced $81 million in RESTART grants aimed at helping formerly incarcerated individuals move into skilled trades, advanced manufacturing, and Registered Apprenticeships. At first glance, this may look like another competitive funding opportunity. But for those working in workforce development, this is more than a grant cycle. It is a […]
What GAO’s Latest Report Means for Serving Older Jobseekers
If you work in an American Job Center or a state workforce agency, you already see it. More of the customers walking through the door — or logging into virtual services — are 55 and older. The U.S. Government Accountability Office’s recent report (GAO-26-107439) puts data behind what many of us experience every day: older […]
Seeing the Decision: A New Brief for Workforce Leaders
For decades, the International Association of Workforce Professionals has focused on supporting frontline staff. That work remains central to who we are. At the same time, many of the most important workforce outcomes are shaped at the leadership level—by agency directors and workforce boards making decisions about strategy, employer engagement, funding priorities, and performance expectations. […]
The Latest Jobs Report & What It Means for the People Sitting Across From You
On the surface, the labor market looks steady. Jobs are being added. Unemployment isn’t surging. Nothing dramatic. But if you work directly with jobseekers, you know the real story shows up in conversations, not headlines. People are applying and not hearing back. Interviews stretch out. Offers take longer. Some industries feel active; others feel frozen. […]