🗞️ DOL and Education Consolidate Workforce Training Programs
Federal labor and education departments issued unified guidance for states to align workforce and education programs with the Trump Administration's "America's Talent Strategy," extending the state plan deadline to April 30, 2026.
On January 26, 2026, the U.S. Departments of Labor and Education released Training and Employment Guidance Letter No. 07-25, providing coordinated guidance to help states update their Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) State Plans. This unified approach is intended to integrate federal workforce development and education programs under a single strategic framework.
The guidance builds on recent collaborative efforts between the agencies, including transferring the WIOA State Plan Portal to the Department of Labor, consolidating Perkins V and Adult Education Basic Grants administration through DOL's systems, and publishing expanded waiver and flexibility options. These administrative changes aim to reduce duplication and streamline processes for states managing multiple federal workforce programs.
Under WIOA, state governors must submit four-year strategic plans outlining their workforce development system strategies. The current guidance creates an opportunity for states to align these plans with America's Talent Strategy, the administration's blueprint for transforming federal workforce development. This strategy emphasizes five pillars: industry-driven approaches, worker mobility, integrated systems, accountability, and flexibility for innovation.
The departments are encouraging states to submit Combined State Plans that include the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins V) program alongside the six WIOA core programs. Perkins V provides approximately $1.4 billion annually for career and technical education. The stated objective of this integration is to strengthen alignment between secondary education, postsecondary training, and workforce needs.
"By issuing this unified guidance, not only are we strengthening the historic partnership between our agencies—simplifying processes for states to better serve individuals seeking personal prosperity—but we are also closing the gap between education and employer needs," said Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Dr. Henry Mack. According to the departments, the guidance is designed to connect federal investments more directly to employer talent needs while expanding access to high-wage career pathways.
The original March 3, 2026 deadline for state plan modifications has been extended to April 30, 2026, providing states additional time to incorporate the guidance and align their strategies with the administration's priorities. States typically submit four-year plans with two-year modifications to ensure their workforce systems remain responsive to changing labor market conditions and policy directions.
Acting Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education Nick Moore emphasized that this timing positions states to prepare for "meaningful Workforce Pell implementation and for appreciably increasing the postsecondary attainment and labor force participation rates." The guidance also considers the needs of individuals with disabilities, with State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies serving over 1 million individuals annually.
The unified guidance aims to consolidate federal workforce programs, improve accountability through outcome-based measures, and position workforce development as central to economic competitiveness and domestic manufacturing priorities.
Key Points
- Unified Guidance: DOL and Education jointly released TEGL 07-25 to coordinate WIOA State Plan requirements and align with America's Talent Strategy
- Extended Deadline: State plan modification deadline moved from March 3 to April 30, 2026 to allow greater alignment and flexibility
- Combined Plans Encouraged: States urged to submit Combined State Plans including Perkins V Career and Technical Education alongside six WIOA core programs
- System Integration: Collaborative efforts include transferring WIOA State Plan Portal to DOL and consolidating grant administration through DOL systems
- Strategic Alignment: Guidance creates opportunity for states to align workforce strategies with five-pillar framework emphasizing employer-driven training, worker mobility, integrated services, accountability, and innovation
- Career Pathways Focus: Emphasis on connecting federal workforce and education investments to employer talent needs and high-wage career opportunities
- Policy Integration: Workforce development positioned as component of administration's economic competitiveness and domestic manufacturing priorities
Source Information
Primary Source Author: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
Primary Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
Primary Source Link: https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20260126
Supplemental Links:
- Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Overview (DOL)
- America's Talent Strategy (PDF)
- Perkins V Career and Technical Education (Department of Education)
- WIOA State Plans (Department of Education)
- Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (Wikipedia)
- Administration Publishes Plan to Transform Workforce Development (LeadingAge)
- Trump Administration Five Pillars of Workforce Development (EdNC)
- WIOA State Plans (Rehabilitation Services Administration)
- Perkins Act Overview (Association for Career and Technical Education)
