The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration has released new guidance to states on using Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grants to support artificial intelligence (AI) literacy and training in the public workforce system.
This guidance encourages state and local workforce development boards to use WIOA funding to promote AI literacy among participants in Title I Youth, Adult, and Dislocated Worker programs. The move is part of the department’s efforts to implement President Trump’s Executive Order, “Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth.”
States are also encouraged to use governor’s reserve funds to integrate AI learning opportunities into their programming.
“President Trump set out with a goal to Make America Skilled Again by providing more flexibility to state and local governments, empowering them to utilize federal resources more efficiently to prepare workers for the in-demand, mortgage-paying jobs of the future. By sending out this new guidance, the Department of Labor is fulfilling the President’s goal and acting on our commitment to put the American worker first,” said Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer.
“As AI continues to reshape the labor market, we are seeing entire new categories of jobs be created, many of which are high-paying and no longer require a four-year degree,” said Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling. “We believe that AI literacy is the gateway to opportunity in an AI-driven economy, and this guidance will ensure that more Americans have access to the foundational AI skills they need to succeed.”
The department outlined its plan for preparing workers for changes brought by AI in its report “America’s Talent Strategy: Building the Workforce for the Golden Age.” The report emphasizes leveraging existing authorities like WIOA so states can prioritize AI skills development across workforce systems.
The guidance also points states toward additional resources from sources such as the Competency Model Clearinghouse, National Science Foundation, and AI.gov.
The full Training and Employment Guidance Letter is available online.
