WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a funding opportunity of up to $145 million for organizations interested in administering its Pay-for-Performance Incentive Payments Program to further expand the national apprenticeship system. 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration today published a framework for Artificial Intelligence literacy, providing a foundation to guide nationwide AI literacy efforts across workforce and education systems. 

In the week ending February 7, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 227,000, a decrease of 5,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 231,000 to 232,000. The 4-week moving average was 219,500, an increase of 7,000 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 212,250 to 212,500.

In the week ending January 31, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 231,000, an increase of 22,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 209,000. The 4-week moving average was 212,250, an increase of 6,000 from the previous week's unrevised average of 206,250.

In the week ending January 24, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 209,000, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 10,000 from 200,000 to 210,000. The 4-week moving average was 206,250, an increase of 2,250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 2,500 from 201,500 to 204,000.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the 2026 National Apprenticeship Week will take place from April 26-May 2, marking the nationwide celebration’s move to spring.  

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the launch of the American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund portal, which will accept applications from eligible Registered Apprenticeship sponsors nationwide. 

WASHINGTON – In a continuing commitment to streamlining the federal workforce and education systems, the U.S. departments of Labor and Education today released guidance to support states in updating their Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act State Plans. 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded $1 million in grant funding to support disaster-relief jobs and employment and training services for Washington residents in response to ongoing severe storms and flooding. 

In the week ending January 17, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 200,000, an increase of 1,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 198,000 to 199,000. The 4-week moving average was 201,500, a decrease of 3,750 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since January 13, 2024 when it was 200,000. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 205,000 to 205,250.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today published a final rule delaying the compliance date states are required to meet when implementing the merit staffing requirements for Employment Service. 

In the week ending January 10, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 198,000, a decrease of 9,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 1,000 from 208,000 to 207,000. The 4-week moving average was 205,000, a decrease of 6,500 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since January 20, 2024 when it was 203,250. The previous week's average was revised down by 250 from 211,750 to 211,500.

In the week ending January 3, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 208,000, an increase of 8,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 199,000 to 200,000. The 4-week moving average was 211,750, a decrease of 7,250 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since April 27, 2024 when it was 210,250. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 218,750 to 219,000.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today released a forecast notice announcing the upcoming availability of $145 million in funding to support a pay-for-performance incentive payments program to further expand the national apprenticeship system. 

The initiative, which represents the most significant investment taken to date in response to President Trump’s directive to meet and exceed 1 million active apprentices nationwide, is built on a pay-for-performance model, ensuring taxpayer dollars deliver measurable outcomes.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded $551,195 to Massachusetts to support employment and training services for workers affected by layoffs at The L.S. Starrett Co.

On June 30, 2025, The L.S. Starrett Co. – one of the region’s largest employers – laid off 78 manufacturing workers. Based in Athol, the precision measuring tool manufacturer’s downsizing significantly disrupted the northern Massachusetts rural labor market.

In the week ending December 27, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 199,000, a decrease of 16,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 214,000 to 215,000. The 4-week moving average was 218,750, an increase of 1,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 216,750 to 217,000.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of $98 million in funding to support the development of pre-apprenticeships in high-demand industries including construction, advanced manufacturing, information technology, and healthcare.

In the week ending December 20, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 214,000, a decrease of 10,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 224,000. The 4-week moving average was 216,750, a decrease of 750 from the previous week's unrevised average of 217,500.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the launch of its American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Inventive Fund, designed through a cooperative agreement with Arkansas, to support the expansion of advanced manufacturing Registered Apprenticeships nationwide.

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.