Today, the U.S. Departments of Labor and Education announced a new partnership aimed at creating an integrated federal education and workforce system. The Labor Department will take on more responsibilities in administering adult education and family literacy programs under Title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) as well as career and technical education programs funded by the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act.
U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer stated, “Our bloated federal bureaucracy has made it increasingly difficult to administer workforce development programs effectively, and our students and workers have been left behind as a result. Under President Trump’s leadership, we are restructuring to meet the needs of our workforce.” She expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with Secretary McMahon to provide states with clearer guidance, reduced regulatory burdens, and more resources for American workers.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon commented on the inefficiency of multiple federal agencies managing parts of the workforce portfolio: “Support from the Department of Labor in administering the Department of Education’s workforce programs is a commonsense step in streamlining these programs to better serve students, families, and educators.”
The collaboration follows an Interagency Agreement signed between both departments on May 21. Initially halted by a Massachusetts District Judge's preliminary injunction in McMahon v. New York, this agreement was later allowed to proceed following a Supreme Court decision.
This partnership will facilitate streamlined services through unified state plan portals and consistent timelines for submitting required state plans for WIOA and Perkins. While maintaining statutory responsibilities and oversight roles, the Department of Education will work alongside the Labor Department in managing these programs.
According to Executive Order No. 14278 signed on April 23, 2025, this effort aims at coordinating federal education with workforce systems while reducing duplication efforts across agencies.
Further guidance from both departments will be provided as changes are implemented over time.
