Through a joint effort, combined WIOA plans have more than doubled since 2024.
The Departments of Education and Labor announced that 21 states have released combined Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) State Plans. As part of the Workforce Development Partnership, the departments have collaborated to improve federal programs for education, to support state workforce agencies, and to increase quality outcomes from workers and their student bodies.
Assistant Secretary of Labor Henry Mack said, “The dramatic increase in combined plans demonstrates that states not only want greater alignment between historically siloed systems but also realize that combining efforts delivers stronger training and employment outcomes for the American worker and student.“
Guidance was issued in April, encouraging states to add career and technical education (CTE) programs funded under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to their combined WIOA State Plans. The departments foresee that this combined effort will help in “strengthening education-workforce alignment.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Education Secretary Linda McMahon as she leads her department’s effort to improve the employment outlook for American students.
- For Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling and Assistant Secretary Mack to be prudent in the alignment of the U.S. education and labor systems.
Sources: Department of Education
