The U.S. Departments of Education and Labor have announced new measures to integrate federal workforce development programs. This initiative builds on a partnership formed earlier in the year, with the goal of streamlining administration and improving access for states.
A key component of this effort is the launch of an integrated state plan portal. The portal is designed to simplify how states manage federal workforce programs, including those under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), such as adult education and family literacy initiatives. As part of these changes, the Department of Education will transfer program funds and detail staff to the Department of Labor to support these programs.
These steps are intended to establish the Department of Labor as a central hub for federal workforce programs, following a joint agreement between the two agencies.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stated, “The Trump Administration is committed to ensuring that all Americans are prepared for a fulfilling and meaningful career. I am confident that the Department of Labor is well positioned to cooperatively administer, implement, and streamline these critical career and adult education programs. Thanks to our workforce development partnership, states will now be able to more easily and efficiently administer their programs. I am proud to work alongside Secretary Chavez-DeRemer as we continue to implement commonsense reforms that will better serve students, families, and states.”
U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer added, “To prepare our next generation of American workers, the Trump Administration is taking decisive action to streamline unnecessary bureaucracy and advance the skills needed to fill jobs of the future. The Department of Labor has an exciting and important role to play here, and I’m honored to team up with Secretary McMahon and our state partners to better connect workers with the training they need to find in-demand, mortgage-paying jobs.”
On May 21, both departments signed an Interagency Agreement (IAA), which allows government agencies to share resources efficiently through mechanisms such as procurement services or collaborative projects. Under this arrangement—and in accordance with 31 U.S.C. § 1535—the Department of Labor will take on certain administrative functions for career and technical education (CTE) as well as WIOA Title II programs while maintaining oversight by the Department of Education.
The integration also means that grantees involved in adult education or CTE will now use DOL’s Payment Management System for grants management—a move aimed at aligning processes across both departments’ educational and workforce initiatives.
This collaboration supports President Trump’s Executive Order focused on preparing Americans for skilled trade jobs expected in future labor markets.
States will receive further guidance from both departments as implementation continues; questions can be directed toward contacts at either agency’s respective offices overseeing career or technical education.
