Corporation for a Skilled Workforce

06/11/2026

As we become more aware of mental health, we can better normalize conversations about wellbeing and prioritize practices that support it. In 2025, 66% of U.S. employees reported experiencing burnout, one of the highest levels recorded in recent years.

What would change if you treated your mental wellbeing as a priority, rather than something to get to later?

CSW's Trauma & Resilience newsletters dig into important research and actions for supporting mental health and wellness in the workplace. Join the T&R newsletter for a once-monthly review of what's new and practical tools for building resilience in the workplace.

Get a free copy of the T&R Quick Guides when you sign up: https://mailchi.mp/skilledwork/ft7vgqfid5

06/10/2026

Recently, the teams behind Los Angeles Opportunity Youth Demonstration Project, funded by The Hilton Foundation and convened by WestEd, UNITE-LA, met in-person and shared the results of several months of work. CSW's Rachel Whilby and Devin Corrigan joined this project showcase.

Three teams implemented a design thinking strategy to identify where participants get stuck, test small changes, and use real-time evidence to refine their approach. This is what systems-change work looks like in practice: making the system visible, trying new approaches in context, and building toward solutions grounded in what’s actually happening for the people the system is meant to serve.

06/09/2026

DUE TOMORROW: there's one more day to apply for the Rural Workforce Academy (RWA)! https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/HxVCmhs4TT

The RWA will provide practical learning opportunities focused on workforce innovation, peer learning, data-informed decision making, organizational improvement, partnership development, and trauma-informed approaches to worker and staff resilience. Learn more: https://skilledwork.org/csw-announces-first-rural-workforce-academy-rwa/

06/04/2026

The first train-the-trainer round of the T&R Massachusetts initiative has officially concluded. In partnership with MassHire Department of Career Services and Massachusetts Workforce Association, CSW is proud of the statewide ambassadors who dedicated significant time and effort to studying, personalizing, preparing, and facilitating these trainings for MassHire staff across the state.

Trainings included 1) Introduction to Trauma, and 2) Secondary Trauma, each paired with Action Labs to encourage deeper engagement, reflection, and practical workplace application. The strong engagement throughout the series reflects the commitment to building more trauma-informed and resilience-building workplaces across the MassHire public workforce development system. We are excited to continue this momentum with a second training round planned for the fall!

06/03/2026

Applications are open for workforce development organizations interested in joining the Rural Workforce Academy (RWA)! https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/HxVCmhs4TT

The RWA is a roughly 12-month initiative focused on rural communities in the Southeast USA, and will provide facilitated learning sessions, individualized coaching, and applied learning projects for up to 20 workforce practitioners serving rural regions.

Interested participants can apply to join either as a cohort member, or as an advisory council member, with both roles working towards:

✓ Strengthening rural workforce programs and partnerships
✓ Improving participant outcomes
✓ Learning alongside peers from other rural communities
✓ Applying practical strategies and tools within their organizations
✓ Advancing economic mobility within rural regions

Applications to join the RWA are open until June 10, 2026 for individuals and organizations serving Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Learn more about the RWA: https://skilledwork.org/csw-announces-first-rural-workforce-academy-rwa/

06/02/2026

The California Workforce Development Board has released the latest impact evaluation for the AB 1111 initiative:https://cwdb.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2026/05/Breaking-Barriers-AB-1111-Impact-Report-043026.pdf

Conducted by SPR and CSW, this evaluation highlights how Cohort 1 programs successfully served high-barrier populations. From positive earnings growth to successful training completion to positive earnings growth, the data makes the case for continued investment in human-centered workforce models.

Key Takeaway for Practitioners: Addressing non-skill barriers (housing, transportation, case management) is non-negotiable for employment success.

For a deeper look at the evaluation methodology and recommendations for strengthening California’s workforce infrastructure, read the report here:https://cwdb.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2026/05/Breaking-Barriers-AB-1111-Impact-Report-043026.pdf

05/25/2026

Applications are open for workforce development organizations interested in joining the Rural Workforce Academy (RWA)! https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/HxVCmhs4TT

The RWA is a roughly 12-month initiative focused on rural communities in the Southeast USA, and will provide facilitated learning sessions, individualized coaching, and applied learning projects for up to 20 workforce practitioners serving rural regions.

Interested participants can apply to join either as a cohort member, or as an advisory council member, with both roles working towards:

✓ Strengthening rural workforce programs and partnerships
✓ Improving participant outcomes
✓ Learning alongside peers from other rural communities
✓ Applying practical strategies and tools within their organizations
✓ Advancing economic mobility within rural regions

Applications to join the RWA are open until June 10, 2026 for individuals and organizations serving Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Learn more about the RWA: https://skilledwork.org/csw-announces-first-rural-workforce-academy-rwa/

CSW announces the launch of the first Rural Workforce Academy (RWA) with support from The Truist Foundation

05/19/2026

Does your organization use LMI? LMI data provide relevant, regional, and disaggregated insights into jobs, skills, and workforce trends, which allows employers to understand talent needs, enables education and training providers to align programs with local opportunity, supports workers in navigating their careers, and guides policymakers and workforce development practitioners in directing public and private investments to increase equitable outcomes.

CSW's Chris Webb digs into what exactly LMI is, how to find it, and how to use it for data-driven strategy: https://skilledwork.org/what-is-lmi-blog/

05/18/2026

Last week, our Displaced Oil and Gas Worker Fund (DOGWF) Community of Practice got a firsthand look at a CA oil refinery and the significant efforts Phillips 66 is making to transition to renewable energy.

As California transitions to green energy, thousands of workers in the oil and gas industry will need to transition to new jobs and industries; careers that pay well and provide growth opportunities. CSW is helping the state minimize barriers for those oil and gas workers and ensure communities are not left behind, providing support as oil and gas workers are navigating transitions into new, family-sustaining careers. CSW is providing technical assistance, evaluation, and peer learning to workforce boards, colleges, unions, and community partners.

Additionally, we are working to create an industry transition blueprint that can be replicated for future labor market disruptions caused by climate policy changes, technological innovations, or other economic shifts, making this both a workforce development initiative and a model for how states can more effectively respond to planned economic transitions.

Thanks to the team who all traveled for this fun excursion, and to our partners CaliforniaEDD for funding this important initiative!

Crystal Graves | Rosi (Rocio) Romo | Yelena Miakinina | Tamia Brown, MPA | Scott Couture | Shanda Evett | Sal Vaca | Chris Webb | Jessica Carr | Diamond Dickerson | DBA, SHRM-SCP Nan Travers | Andrea Garcia-Fernandez | Brandon Anderson | Bethany Smith

05/14/2026

Are you an organization supporting workforce development in a rural community? If yes, you qualify to participate in the Rural Workforce Academy (RWA): https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/HxVCmhs4TT

The RWA is a roughly 12-month initiative focused on rural communities in the Southeast USA providing facilitated learning sessions, individualized coaching, and applied learning projects for up to 20 workforce practitioners serving rural regions.

Interested participants can apply to join either as a cohort member, or as an advisory council member, with both roles working towards:

✓ Strengthening rural workforce programs and partnerships
✓ Improving participant outcomes
✓ Learning alongside peers from other rural communities
✓ Applying practical strategies and tools within their organizations
✓ Advancing economic mobility within rural regions

Applications to join the RWA are open until June 10, 2026 for individuals and organizations serving Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Learn more about the RWA: https://skilledwork.org/csw-announces-first-rural-workforce-academy-rwa/