Who Speaks for Workforce? This Month, it's You!

September is officially Workforce Development Month—but this year, it feels different.

Yes, the U.S. finally released a national talent strategy. But with the FY26 committee-approved House appropriations bill cutting the workforce budget by 28% (including a 63% cut to WIOA Title I funding), the air feels heavy with uncertainty. For workforce boards, nonprofit partners, and training providers, the instinct might be to keep heads down, focus on service delivery, and avoid rocking the boat.

But here’s the truth: keeping quiet won’t protect programs. Advocacy will.

Most workforce leaders already know this. You know your voice matters. You know your programs work and are critical to realizing the administration’s ambitious economic growth goals. You know lawmakers need to hear what’s happening on the ground. But here’s the catch: knowing you should speak up isn’t the same as knowing how to do it effectively, or where your voice will carry the biggest weight.

The good news? You don’t have to figure it out alone. Our leading workforce associations have our backs, and they’ve put together toolkits, templates, and networks that make advocacy less overwhelming and more impactful. Let’s break it down:

1. National Skills Coalition (NSC)

NSC is the go-to for policy briefs and state-focused action around specific topics like closing the digital skills divide, investing in clean energy, and a 2026 budget fact sheet . Their SkillSPAN network connects coalitions across the country, helping leaders link local priorities to national narratives. If you want to see what language resonates with policymakers—or if you’re looking for solid data to anchor your conversations—NSC should be your first stop.

Best for: state-level advocates, coalition-builders, and anyone who needs evidence-based talking points to back up their pitch.

2. National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB)

NAWB’s advocacy toolkit is designed with boards and their staff in mind. It includes sample letters, op-ed templates, and social media messaging so local boards can get their voice out quickly and consistently. It also emphasizes the importance of local partnerships—especially Chambers of Commerce—because amplifying your message through business networks adds credibility.

Best for: workforce boards, board members, and executive staff who need a ready-made playbook to mobilize quickly.

3. National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP)

NAWDP’s advocacy toolkit (full version available to members) is a step-by-step roadmap for local advocacy. It covers everything from building a set of talking points, to researching elected officials, to inviting them for a tour of your center. The toolkit reminds us that advocacy isn’t a once-a-year activity. It’s about consistency—building relationships with staff, engaging press, and making board members effective ambassadors.

Best for: frontline professionals, local leaders, and anyone who wants practical, detailed guidance on “what to do next.”

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Bottom Line

Advocacy may feel daunting right now—but you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Whether you need national policy context (NSC), templates and messaging (NAWB), or a step-by-step local guide (NAWDP), the tools are there.

This Workforce Development Month, let’s commit to not staying silent. Use the playbooks, lean on the networks, and make sure your lawmakers, business leaders, and neighbors know exactly how much is at stake.

Because if we don’t tell our story—who will?

💡 What’s working for you?

Have you used any of these tools and have feedback? Or maybe you use another advocacy tool or strategy that made a difference in your community? Share it in the comments—We’d love to collect and highlight additional resources.

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