At a recent meeting I had with the Economic and Community Advisory Council for the Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank, the group of community leaders noted the word “uncertainty” in almost every conversation: uncertainty about trade, the economy, and policy coming out of Washington, DC. The workforce and educational systems that we work so closely with in our region are not immune to these same challenges.

The early months of 2025 have brought considerable changes to the federal workforce development landscape:

• Executive orders and workforce programs changes – President Trump’s administration has issued numerous executive orders aimed at overhauling federal workforce development efforts. Notably, an executive order signed on April 23, 2025, focuses on preparing Americans for high-paying skilled trade jobs, emphasizing the expansion of registered apprenticeships and modernization of workforce programs The White House.

• WIOA reauthorization uncertainty – The reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) remains uncertain. While discussions are ongoing, the lack of clarity poses challenges for long-term planning and funding stability Community College Daily.

• Budgetary and appropriations uncertainty – The administration’s push for significant budget cuts across various federal programs raises concerns about potential reductions in workforce development funding, which could impact our operations and service delivery.

At the recent NAWB Forum conference in Washington DC last month, I spoke to the attendees about the amount of uncertainty surrounding our system – but also how that contrasts with the certainty that our system remains a powerful lever of economic mobility across the county.

Perhaps most importantly than ever, the public workforce system must look to be agile, bold, and creative in our ways of leading and serving job seekers and employers across our communities. In my address to the NAWB community, I shared my perspectives on what we will help guide our work during these times of uncertainty:

• Agility – In times of uncertainty, agility is not optional—it is essential. The workforce system must be nimble enough to respond to rapidly changing economic conditions, political shifts, and labor market disruptions. That means listening closely to employers, adapting quickly to the needs of job seekers, and reshaping programs to meet the moment with speed and precision.

• Boldness – Now is the time to be bold. We cannot afford to play it safe while the future of workforce funding and policy hangs in the balance. Boldness means fighting for the value of our work, speaking up with data and stories, and pushing forward with confidence in the face of ambiguity. It means investing in innovations that may not have a guaranteed return but have the potential to change lives and reshape communities.

• Creativity – Creativity will be our differentiator. As traditional models are questioned, we must reimagine how we deliver services, partner with industry, and empower people. From new apprenticeship models to tech-enabled career pathways, creative solutions are what will keep our workforce system not just relevant, but indispensable.

I remain optimistic that we can continue to find healthy ways to advocate for smart, innovative ways to improve the outcomes and success of the public workforce system. We need to continue to promote our work in driving economic mobility, leveraging our state and national partnerships, and tell our story to local and national elected officials. We ask you to join us in these efforts over the coming weeks and months during a critical time for our system.