Education, Labor Expand WIOA-Perkins Plans to 21 States From 9
Updated
Updated · US Department of Labor · May 13
Education, Labor Expand WIOA-Perkins Plans to 21 States From 9
3 articles · Updated · US Department of Labor · May 13
Twenty-one states have now submitted combined WIOA state plans that integrate Perkins V career and technical education programs, up from nine in 2024 after joint Education and Labor Department guidance in April.
The agencies said the expanded filings are meant to align education and workforce systems, cut administrative burden, and better match credentials and training with employer demand.
Perkins V governs career and technical education while WIOA governs workforce development; folding both into one state plan is also intended to prepare states for Workforce Pell Grant implementation this summer.
The broader federal push includes Labor guidance issued in November on waiver flexibility under WIOA, with 180 waivers requested so far to encourage innovation and reduce barriers for job seekers and employers.
Officials cast the increase as part of the administration's America’s Talent Strategy and a wider effort to build a more unified talent pipeline for high-paying skilled jobs.
How will states ensure new Workforce Pell programs, launching in July, lead to high-wage careers and not just fast credentials?
With a 1.2 million worker shortage, can streamlined state plans truly rebuild America's pipeline for skilled trade professionals?
Can digital Learning and Employment Records finally solve the hiring gap for millions of Americans with some college but no degree?
21 States Double Down: The 2026 Surge in Unified WIOA and Perkins CTE State Plans
Overview
As of May 2026, the number of states submitting combined Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education (CTE) State Plans has more than doubled, rising from 9 in 2024 to 21. This marks a major shift in federal workforce strategies, moving away from the historical separation of WIOA and Perkins V, which had distinct legislative frameworks and separate planning processes. The unified approach aims to streamline services, foster innovation, and improve coordination among education and workforce agencies, reflecting a critical evolution in how states prepare individuals for skilled trade jobs.