National Association of State Workforce Agencies

📬 The March 2026 edition of Network Times is here!  The Multistate Data Collaborative (MSDC) continues to strengthen cross-state collaboration and support data-informed decision-making to improve outcomes for communities nationwide.  Edition Highlights: 👉 NASWA Policy Committee presentations on the Industries of Ideas project  👉 Latest MSDC Learn-and-Share recording on utilizing artificial intelligence to improve reentry outcomes  👉 ACCESS Data & Impact SAIL kick-off recap  Thank you for your continued partnership and engagement! 🤝 https://lnkd.in/gHJT8t52

📈 Curious about the labor market in the South? You can use the National Labor Exchange Job Opening Estimator Tool (NLx JOE) to get a more complete picture of labor demand. NLx JOE explores the intersection of NLx Research Hub job posting data and JOLTS job opening estimates. 💡 South Spotlight: NLx job postings are highly correlated with JOLTS job openings in the South BUT only capture about 40% of all job openings. That’s why the NLx Research Hub produces our own timely job opening estimates. In February, there were 1.05M NLx job postings and we estimated 2.97M job openings in the South. February and March JOLTS numbers have yet to be released. ➡️ Check out more on NLx JOE: https://lnkd.in/eZ2nyXsn #NASWA #NationalLaborExchange #LaborMarket #Jobs

National Nevada Day    📊 Innovation Highlights from Nevada’s 2025 State of the Workforce Report  The Innovations section showcases strategic initiatives that align workforce development with education and career pathways: • Employment Security Division integration with Adult Education — improving data alignment for skills gain measurement and credential reporting.  • Leaderverse Program — in partnership with UNLV, offering leadership and career readiness workshops, mentoring, and experiential learning.  • UNLV Nurse Camp Expansion — providing high school students clinical exposure and certifications to prepare future healthcare professionals.  These efforts strengthen talent pipelines and enhance career mobility across the Silver State. 📍 View the full Innovations section here:  🔗 https://lnkd.in/eZph4NEb #NASWA 

State leaders and research partners convened in Arlington this week for the 5th Annual Meeting of the Multistate Data Collaborative (MSDC). The meeting provided a dedicated opportunity to reflect on progress and help shape the direction of the MSDC’s work in the year ahead.   Participants engaged in updates from MSDC working groups, shared lessons learned from advancing administrative data linkages, and identified emerging priorities that will guide future collaboration across states. Discussions reinforced the importance of peer learning, co-developing practical products, and strengthening the use of evidence to inform program and policy decisions.   As the MSDC continues to grow, its strength lies in the active engagement of states and partners working together to turn shared challenges into shared solutions. Reach out to the MSDC team at datacollabs@naswa.org to get involved! #NASWA #MultistateDataCollaborative

Leaders across the workforce ecosystem are being called to guide digital transformation. Workforce ITSC’s Urgency of Workforce System Digital Transformation online learning certificate is designed for workforce, education, and human services government leaders who need to: • Understand why digital transformation is urgent for today’s workforce system • Lead efforts to improve how customers access and experience services • Use data and metrics to make smarter, evidence-based decisions • Strengthen organizational capacity and digital skills across teams • Work across partners and programs to deliver more connected services This certificate includes multiple lessons that can be taken individually or as a whole program of study. Complete the full program of study to earn a Certificate of Completion at no-cost. ➡️ Learn more and enroll: https://lnkd.in/gH-VPQTc This program is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor and administered by NASWA.

State members: UI ITSC, in partnership with USDOL, offers expert support and resources to help you modernize UI systems and strengthen your operations. Make the most of your membership. 👉Learn more at https://lnkd.in/dh2UhkcZ #UIITSC #NASWA

Curious about the labor market in the Midwest? You can use the National Labor Exchange Job Opening Estimator Tool (NLx JOE) to get a more complete picture of labor demand. NLx JOE explores the intersection of NLx Research Hub job posting data and JOLTS job opening estimates. 💡 Midwest Spotlight: NLx job postings are highly correlated with JOLTS job openings in the Midwest BUT only capture about 50% of all job openings. That’s why the NLx Research Hub produces our own timely job opening estimates. In February, there were 720k NLx job postings and we estimated 1.57M job openings in the Midwest. February and March JOLTS numbers have yet to be released. ➡️ Check out more on NLx JOE: https://lnkd.in/eZ2nyXsn #NASWA #NationalLaborExchange #LaborMarket #Jobs

ICYMI | The District of Columbia was honored with our inaugural Excellence in Communications Award at last month's #NASWAWPF26 for its Building Trust Through Community: DC Paid Family Leave Awareness Initiative. Read More: https://lnkd.in/gPpc28xq #NASWA

National West Virginia Day    📈 Innovations in West Virginia’s Workforce System — 2025 State of the Workforce Report  West Virginia is applying forward-thinking strategies to strengthen workforce services across the state. The Innovations section of the latest report highlights key efforts such as: • Virtual Job Fairs to enhance employer engagement and streamline job matches.  • A dedicated Technical Assistance & Compliance (TAC) Unit to support consistent program delivery and stakeholder engagement.  • Implementation of AI-Assisted Plain Language tools to make notices and applications clearer and more accessible for claimants.   These initiatives illustrate West Virginia’s commitment to improving access to opportunity and connecting workers to meaningful careers. 📍 Explore the full report here:  🔗 https://lnkd.in/eFD8pC8S #NASWA 

ICYMI | Nevada was honored with our prestigious 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 & 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 at last month's #NASWAWPF26 for its BLSloadR Package. Read More: https://lnkd.in/dkfVnpVw #NASWA