WASHINGTON –  U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer concluded a four-state swing on her “America at Work” listening tour yesterday, where she met with engineers, farmers, and manufacturers to learn more about their unique experiences in the labor force.

“President Trump has secured historic investments to revitalize critical industries and grow our workforce, and I’m committed to ensuring each and every wage earner has the skills they need to immediately fill the thousands of mortgage-paying jobs being created by his America First policies,” said Secretary Chavez-DeRemer. “As I near the end of my America at Work listening tour, hearing directly from workers on the ground has given me valuable insight into steps the Department of Labor can take to better support American Workers, and I look forward to doubling down on our efforts to provide hardworking men and women with the resources they need to succeed.”

Texas

Secretary Chavez-DeRemer began this four-state swing with a visit to Watson Drill Rigs in Fort Worth. As a leader in the drilled shaft industry, Watson provided the Secretary with a hands-on demonstration in operating drill rigs. The family-owned company shared their expertise and feedback, lauding the administration’s push to register more apprentices nationwide. Watson detailed how they have been actively seeking new ways to connect with students early in their careers to expose them to opportunities in the industry that do not require a college degree.

Mississippi 

Joining the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer participated in a roundtable discussion about challenges and opportunities in the agricultural industry. The Secretary shared more information about how the Labor Department is working on their behalf to streamline processes and expand work opportunities for their industry. The Farm Bureau briefed her on their policy efforts at the local, state, national, and international levels to ensure farmers, producers, and other key players are supported.

Alabama 

Secretary Chavez-DeRemer then traveled to Huntsville for a walking tour of The Boeing Company’s Jetplex campus, including their Patriot Advanced Capability-3 seeker missile and circuit factories. She was joined by Rep. Dale Strong, who welcomed her to the “Rocket City.”

For more than 60 years, Boeing has been a vital partner in crafting the nation’s space and defense programs. The Secretary and Rep. Strong were able to engage with the technicians and engineers whose work greatly contributes to U.S. national security, learning more about the aerospace industry and its labor needs.

The visit concluded in Boeing’s Huntsville Electronics Center of Excellence. The Secretary spoke with electrical engineers and technicians who manufacture, maintain, and modify circuit boards, even trying her hand at a mock circuit card assembly. The staff reinforced her emphasis on early skills training for those who are about to enter the workforce.

Arkansas

Wrapping up her four-state swing, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer joined L3Harris Technologies Inc. in Camden. 

The company’s leadership and employees detailed their work, which helps counter evolving threats in the defense and commercial sectors. The Secretary thanked them for their tireless efforts to support the nation’s warfighters and assured them she would relay their feedback to President Trump. 

Learn more about Secretary Chavez-DeRemer’s America at Work listening tour.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer issued the following statement regarding the January 2026 Employment Situation Report:

“The January jobs report shows that the U.S. economy is off to an undeniably strong start this year, with 172,000 private sector jobs added. Solid growth in construction is proof that President Trump’s America First policies are working their magic, including a notable 25,000 uptick in specialty trades from factory groundbreakings – a direct result of the trillions in historic investments the President has secured. 

“The numbers are reflecting what I’ve been seeing on the ground throughout my America at Work listening tour. With the support of pro-growth policies like the Working Families Tax Cuts, businesses are ready and excited to expand, and Americans are getting back to work. President Trump is fulfilling his promise to grow the private sector while eliminating wasteful and burdensome bureaucracy, with federal employment hitting its lowest level since 1966. 

“As the President’s agenda continues to create a Golden Age of economic prosperity for Americans, the Department of Labor remains laser-focused on upskilling and reskilling our workforce to fill the thousands of mortgage-paying jobs being created month after month.”

WASHINGTON - U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer continued her nationwide “America at Work” listening tour this week, visiting West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

“At the Department of Labor, we are committed to putting American Workers First by providing pathways to mortgage-paying jobs and ensuring everyone comes home safely at the end of the day,” Secretary Chavez-DeRemer said. “I enjoyed sharing that commitment with workers in West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee this week, where I also learned more about how the department can help address workplace challenges so employers and employees can better provide for themselves and their families.”

West Virginia

On Monday, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer visited Appalachian Power’s John E. Amos plant in Charleston, West Virginia, a three-unit coal-fired power plant owned and operated by Appalachian Power. The day began with a sit-down meeting where the Secretary was briefed on the operations, growth, and safety. They discussed how the Trump Administration’s pro-coal and pro-worker policies have positively impacted hardworking families across the region. 

Following the conversation, the Secretary toured the power plant and spoke with workers who help meet the growing electricity demand of the region. The employees underscored the importance of safety in the industry and supported her push for alternative routes to the labor force outside of four-year degrees. 

Kentucky 

Secretary Chavez-DeRemer then traveled to Lexington, Kentucky for a tour of the historic Keeneland facility. The Secretary was joined by her former colleague Rep. Andy Barr, as they walked the grounds of the National Historic Landmark. They later engaged with local officials and Keeneland leadership in a roundtable discussion about the horseracing industry with a special focus on its labor component.

The tour demonstrated how the multibillion-dollar horseracing industry has been a boon for Kentucky and remains a staple for both their economic output and job market. Secretary Chavez-DeRemer and Rep. Barr reinforced their commitment to collaborate at all levels of government to support the important industry and its workers.

Tennessee

Wrapping up the week with a visit to her 44th state, the Secretary was welcomed by the Tennessee Valley Authority to their Cumberland Fossil Plant. She joined their leadership to witness an immersive AI presentation which highlighted the company’s focus on innovation and unleashing the full potential of the American Worker. 

Throughout the tour, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer spoke with TVA employees and union leaders, underscoring her mission at the Labor Department to improve the lives of both workers and their families. She reiterated her directive from President Trump to reach 1 million active apprentices nationwide and shared a progress report of having reached approximately 318,000 apprentices since January 2025. 

The Secretary’s visit concluded with an opportunity to engage with the workers who were preparing for an impending snowstorm in the region; she thanked them for their tireless efforts to provide power for families and support for communities.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer completed a four-state swing through North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska as she nears the end of her 50-state “America at Work” listening tour, meeting with construction workers, business leaders, local officials, healthcare workers, and apprentices as part of her promise to speak directly with the hardworking men and women who keep our nation running strong. 

“Whether it’s the students who are excited about getting their foot in the door through apprenticeship opportunities, or the business leaders who get to grow and expand their footprint thanks to President Trump’s pro-worker policies, hardworking Americans across the country are excited to have an Administration dedicated to putting them first,” said Secretary Chavez-DeRemer. “I’m going to continue these conversations so I can go back to the President and share stories from every industry about what’s working and what isn’t – and learn how we can best support the American Worker through it all.” 

North Dakota 

In Fargo, the Secretary joined Governor Kelly Armstrong and the team at Applied Digital Corp. for a tour of the Polaris Forge 2 construction site, an AI data center currently underway. Viewing the two upcoming facilities on the 900-acre campus, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer spoke with the construction workers and businessmen and women who shared her emphasis on connecting the next generation of workers with in-demand jobs, such as electricians and pipefitters, which are necessary for AI-driven projects. 

Following the tour, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer and Governor Armstrong engaged with local construction partners and community leaders. The Secretary reaffirmed her commitment to bringing everyone to the table – men and women from all backgrounds and industries – so businesses can grow and their employees can enjoy the Golden Age of prosperity. She reiterated that AI is here to stay, and the Department of Labor is working to advance AI literacy and proficiency for students and workers as they prepare for the jobs of tomorrow. 

South Dakota 

Secretary Chavez-DeRemer toured three Sanford Health locations in Sioux Falls while engaging with their leadership to discuss innovations in virtual care, gastroenterology, and pediatric medicine. Sanford Health is the largest rural health system in the U.S., providing access to high-quality care in America's heartland for over 2 million patients. Her visit began with a tour of the Sanford Virtual Care Center, where she saw firsthand how Sanford is preparing the next generation of clinicians for new care delivery models and paving the way for the innovative future of health care.  

Expanding on that goal of equipping workers with the tools to navigate AI infrastructure in their unique fields, the medical team offered the Secretary hands-on experience with their AI algorithm for colon cancer screening while at the Sanford Center for Digestive Health. Concluding the visit, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer toured the Sanford Children’s Hospital and discussed the importance of employee retention with the facility’s leadership.  

Iowa  

Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs hosted the Secretary for a tour of their campus, where she heard directly from apprentices and their instructors how workforce development programs open doors for those who do not wish to pursue a four-year-degree. The tour included visits to Iowa Western’s welding and HVAC labs, where she met with students pursuing those trades.

The Secretary reiterated her belief that a one-size-fits-all approach does not work and emphasized her focus on creating new and better pathways to the workforce that do not rely on a traditional college route. 

Nebraska 

In Ohama, the Secretary engaged with Union Pacific Railroad Co. workers, leadership, and Chief Executive Officer Jim Vena at its state-of-the-art Training Center and Harriman Dispatching Center where she witnessed the inventive and robust training required for developing the railroad’s skilled workforce, even operating simulated equipment with the assistance of future locomotive engineers currently under Union Pacific’s instruction.

While at the sites, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer participated in the same unique, hands-on learning environment that future dispatchers and engineers enjoy. She also joined dispatchers, engineers, and other Union Pacific employees in a roundtable discussion to hear about their personal experiences. Many echoed her message on the importance of exposing students to vocational training early and allowing them to make mortgage-paying salaries without a college degree. Secretary Chavez-DeRemer shared with the staff and leadership that at her direction, the department has added over 300,000 new apprentices and registered 2,512 new apprenticeship programs, which puts President Trump’s goal of 1 million active apprentices well within reach. 

Throughout her “America at Work” tour, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer has beaten the drum of ensuring America’s workforce remains competitive and prepared for the jobs of the future. She will continue to take her insights from the listening tour directly to the President as they work together to put the American Worker first.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer issued the following statement regarding the December 2025 Employment Situation Report:

“The December jobs report confirms that 2025 was a blockbuster year of solid job growth thanks to the return President Trump’s America First leadership, with over 650,000 jobs added since he took office. And after years of runaway inflation that crushed purchasing power for hardworking families, President Trump is cleaning up the mess he inherited from the Biden administration and making life more affordable for all Americans. Wage growth is still running strong, up 4.1 percent in the last three months, and inflation has hit its lowest level in nearly five years.

“As we enter the new year, our economy continues gaining momentum and is well-positioned for even more growth as the President doubles down on his efforts to revitalize critical industries. GDP is booming, and all net job growth has continued to take place in the private sector among American-born workers. The Department of Labor will continue our efforts to execute President Trump’s mission to put American Workers First in 2026.”

WASHINGTON – The U.S. departments of Labor and Agriculture today announced a Memorandum of Understanding to maximize skills training and work opportunities for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants. The agreement, which will help states more effectively connect SNAP participants with Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act job training programs, aims to help more low-income Americans find and maintain employment.

“Connecting more Americans with sustainable jobs is a critical responsibility of the Department of Labor,” said Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “I’m honored to partner with Secretary Rollins on this effort to streamline pathways to the workforce for men and women in need of a hand-up – not a hand-out. Empowering more Americans to become self-sufficient will grow our workforce and strengthen our economy.”

“President Trump’s entire cabinet is working every day to ensure hardworking Americans can enter the workforce – and have the skills necessary to succeed in our booming economy,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins. “Connecting low-income Americans, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients, to education and employment opportunities is so important. This MOU signifies how our two agencies can further collaborate and use one another’s resources to not only help individuals attain career and technical education, but secure and retain employment. This also complements President Trump’s vision in the One Big Beautiful Bill, making certain work-capable individuals work, train, or volunteer for at least 80 hours per month. I thank Secretary Chavez-DeRemer for her commitment and partnership in moving more individuals from the sidelines to the workforce.”

Under the agreement, the departments will:

• Develop shared strategies to help SNAP and WIOA program participants access effective employment and training services that reduce their need for public benefits.
• Issue guidance to state agencies and workforce development boards clarifying that SNAP recipients must engage as a “participant” to fulfill the work requirement through a program under WIOA.
• Encourage states to explore program flexibilities and innovations, including WIOA waiver requests, that improve the alignment of SNAP and WIOA programs for the benefit of helping low-income job seekers enter, re-enter, and remain in the workforce.
• Work in a coordinated manner to assist states in successfully navigating various program requirements and utilizing available federal resources to maximize the success of the prospective American worker.
• Offer and encourage joint technical assistance on how to maximize the benefits of each program to expand job opportunities for SNAP recipients and low-income workers.
• Coordinate the review of WIOA Combined State Plans that include SNAP employment and training, including communication regarding the submission and approval of such plans.

Read the Memorandum of Understanding between the departments of Labor and Agriculture. 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer issued the following statement regarding the November 2025 Employment Situation Report:

“November’s jobs report shows our economy continues to gain momentum despite the economic mess President Trump inherited from the Biden administration and the reckless Democrat shutdown. With 64,000 jobs added in November, more and more Americans are coming off the sidelines and working in the private sector. Investment has been booming thanks to the President’s America First policies, leading to strong nonresidential construction growth. 

“Importantly, the growth we are seeing is concentrated in the private sector and among native-born Americans. Federal employment has retreated to the lowest level in over a decade, completely reversing the previous administration’s federal hiring frenzy.

“The Trump Administration remains laser-focused on making life more affordable for all Americans. Average private sector weekly earnings are on track to rise 4.2 percent during the President’s first year in office, providing working families with more purchasing power as wages outpace inflation. We will continue to double down on our efforts to put American Workers First by building a Golden Age of economic prosperity.”

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Departments of Labor and Education provided an update today on the Trump Administration’s historic actions to integrate the federal government’s workforce development portfolio, announcing that the departments transitioned the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act state plan portal to the Labor Department to streamline federal workforce development programs. 

The move allows the departments of Labor and Education to jointly administer core WIOA programs, including adult education and family literacy programs. Subsequent efforts will focus on integrating the Perkins state plan portal into the WIOA state plan portal so states with combined WIOA state plans will be able to submit information through a single portal.

Since Oct. 1, the joint agencies have successfully processed nearly 800 payment requests from 43 unique states and territories and onboarded all grantees to GrantSolutions and Payment Management Systems, which are the grant and payment management systems used by the majority of all federal agencies.

The departments are also synchronizing the timeline for submitting the 2026 WIOA State Plan modifications and will provide joint feedback on submissions. On Nov. 25, 2025, the department issued guidance to governors and workforce boards, in collaboration with the Department of Education’s Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, related to available WIOA waiver and flexibility options, which also included recommendations for further integrating Perkins’ career and technical education programs into the public workforce system.

“The Department of Labor is committed to working closely with the Department of Education to reduce federal bureaucracy and better integrate our education and workforce development systems,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Lori Frazier Bearden. “We’re off to a strong start, already delivering targeted resources so states can develop clear pathways from education to good-paying jobs. Our success proves that streamlining resources and empowering states lead to better results for both taxpayers and job seekers.”

“This successful workforce partnership is proof that the Department of Labor is well-positioned to co-administer, implement, and streamline CTE and adult education programs to better meet the needs of Americans,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education Nick Moore. “With the ability to more easily and efficiently administer their programs, states across the country are already seeing positive results. Commonsense reforms work, and I’m proud to work alongside the experienced team at Labor to build the talent pipeline for the Golden Age of America.”

This workforce partnership builds on the work of several innovative states and governors, such as Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Utah, among others, who have reduced duplication and increased efficiency by harmonizing and coordinating state agencies focused on education and workforce development.

Here’s what workforce leaders are saying:

• Alabama Governor Kay Ivey: “Alabama has positioned itself to be on the cutting edge of workforce innovations and opportunities because of remarkable coordination and collaboration. The newly formed Alabama Department of Workforce's mission is to elevate Alabama’s talent pipeline to benefit our state’s workforce future by connecting our incredible partners in education to industry demand. This new effort to streamline governmental programming by the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Department of Education will help promote that future by meeting the needs of Alabamians more effectively and efficiently. We are excited to do our part in leading the implementation of this new initiative and continue working with our partners to ensure its continued success.”
• Georgia Governor Brian Kemp: “In Georgia, my administration is building career pathways that connect K-12, CTE, workforce, and postsecondary programs to provide an integrated talent system designed to meet the needs of employers, jobseekers, and students. President Trump’s efforts to integrate Perkins CTE and adult education into the public workforce system is a long overdue, and commonsense reform that will bolster our state efforts.”
• Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves: "Mississippi is ahead of the curve when it comes to training people for the jobs of the future. I signed legislation that created the Office of Workforce Development (AccelerateMS) and overhauled our workforce development strategy. We’re already seeing that legislation bear fruit. Our state’s strategy aligns with the needs of the private sector, and we’re training Mississippians for jobs that pay above average wages and are in high demand. It’s a big reason we’re breaking so many economic development records. What a lot of states have lacked up until now is clarity from the federal government and the flexibility to let states lead. The steps the Trump administration and Secretary McMahon are taking to align workforce and education programs are giving states the room to solve problems, rather than forcing them to navigate bureaucracy. If we can stay focused on policy and outcomes at the federal level while allowing states and local leaders to drive implementation, we can build the kind of demand-driven, accountable workforce system America has needed for decades."
• Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen: “President Trump is leading the way – streamlining the federal government and helping states more easily invest in the next generation of our workforces. Directing federal agencies to partner and provide commonsense solutions helps states like Nebraska leverage all of our resources. We can’t thank the Trump Administration enough for their steadfast support and ongoing willingness to innovate and find ways to make government effective at the state level.”
• Jimmy Baker, Chancellor of the Alabama Community College System: “The Alabama Community College System is proud to serve as the state’s premier provider of education and workforce training. Across our colleges, we continue to innovate to meet the needs of students, employers, and communities, and our Innovation Center’s short-term ‘Skills for Success’ courses are a powerful example of that commitment. These programs provide rapid, high-quality training that connects learners to genuine opportunities and supports employers with job-ready talent. As federal efforts move toward stronger alignment between Perkins CTE, Adult Education, and the public workforce system, Alabama stands ready. Our system has already demonstrated how integrated planning and collaborative partnerships can elevate outcomes. The continued progress at the national level will further empower the work already underway across our colleges to build a skilled, competitive workforce for our state.”
• Dr. Eric Mackey, Alabama State Superintendent of Education: “We appreciate the U.S. Department of Education’s efforts to better align Perkins career and technical education funds and the public workforce system as we continue to work improve students’ academic and technical skills so Alabama students are prepared for high-demand careers when they graduate and enter the workforce. Since first combining our Perkins and WIOA plans in 2020, Alabama has made significant progress in workforce development and has led the way nationally through this innovative consolidation and integration of its Perkins and WIOA plans into a single, cohesive vision for workforce and talent development in our state. By working together with our partner agencies including the Department of Workforce and the State Workforce Board, we are building a stronger, more connected workforce pipeline for students, job seekers, and employers.”
• Courtney Taylor, Executive Director of Accelerate Mississippi: “For too long, workforce and education programs have been treated as separate silos – and it resulted in slow and duplicative programs that were disconnected from what employers actually need. States know how to build talent pipelines because they directly interact and work with businesses and communities every day. I welcome the administration’s effort to bring Perkins and the workforce system together and put decision-making closer to the people who feel the impact. When we can remove red tape and trust states to lead, we deliver tangible results: stronger employers, more skilled workers, and a more competitive America.”

On May 21, the departments of Labor and Education signed an Economy Act (31 U.S.C. § 1535) Interagency Agreement that permits federal agencies to procure goods and services from other federal agencies. Under the agreement, the Labor Department will perform certain day-to-day administrative services for the Education Department’s CTE and WIOA Title II programs alongside the larger suite of workforce programs that the Labor Department already administers. The Department of Education will maintain all statutory responsibilities for these programs, including policymaking, program determinations, and oversight responsibilities.   

On July 15, the departments announced the implementation of a workforce development partnership to better integrate the federal education and workforce systems. On September 8, the agencies launched an integrated WIOA state plan portal at the Labor Department to streamline these programs, allowing the Departments of Labor and Education to more easily coordinate administration of the core WIOA programs, including adult education and literacy programs. On September 26, 2025, OCTAE’s FY24 and FY25 Perkins V and Adult Education Basic Grants were reactivated through the Department of Labor’s GrantSolutions and the Payment Management System, just 15 days after the transition process began.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer and Deputy Secretary Keith Sonderling applauded the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission today for taking action to help prevent discrimination against American workers. The EEOC released new and updated educational materials to reaffirm and emphasize legal protections against national origin discrimination, which can include preferring foreign workers by advertising job openings as only available to H-1B visa holders.

The EEOC’s efforts were a result of the department’s recently announced H-1B enforcement initiative Project Firewall, which aims to safeguard the rights, wages, and job opportunities of highly skilled American workers. The ongoing project ensures employers prioritize qualified Americans when hiring and includes enforcement actions to hold employers accountable if they abuse the H-1B visa program. 

“I applaud the EEOC for standing with the Department of Labor’s mandate under Project Firewall to ensure American workers have a fair chance to compete and succeed,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “Under President Trump’s leadership, we will continue working with our federal partners to put an end to bad practices and safeguard opportunities for American workers.”

“The EEOC’s announcement underscores the importance of federal agencies working in concert to uphold the rights of workers. By sharing data, clarifying employer obligations, and aligning enforcement tools, we are better positioned to prevent discriminatory hiring practices and protect labor market integrity,” said Deputy Secretary Keith Sonderling. 

“The EEOC stands ready to be a committed partner across the federal government,” said EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas. “With the scale of unlawful anti-American discrimination we’re seeing, robust investigation and enforcement – within the EEOC and with our federal partners – is essential to protecting America’s workforce.”

Through Project Firewall, the department is sharing information and coordinating with relevant government agencies, as permitted by law, to proactively combat unlawful discrimination against American workers and properly enforce the law by leveraging the full strength of the federal government. 

In addition to its partnership with the EEOC, the department is also collaborating with federal partners including the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services as part of this whole-of-government effort.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer issued the following statement regarding the September 2025 Employment Situation Report:

“Driven by impressive gains in private sector payrolls, our economy added 119,000 jobs in September – more than doubling expectations. We should’ve had this positive report seven weeks ago, but Democrats chose to play political games and shut down the government. Despite their constant efforts to undermine President Trump, he is building an economy that is firing on all cylinders. Job and yearly wage growth blew past expectations, more Americans are entering the workforce, and long-term unemployment is down.

“This report reflects an economy that was running strong going into the shutdown, proving this Administration’s America First policies are incredibly effective when Washington isn’t paralyzed by the Democrats’ noise. We expect this momentum to continue as the President’s full economic agenda takes effect, including the historic tax relief provided by the Working Family Tax Cuts and the trillions of dollars President Trump has secured to reindustrialize our nation.”