Jobs, Workforce Funding, and What It Means for Greater Raritan in 2026

National workforce trends may seem far removed from daily life in Somerset and Hunterdon counties, but recent insights shared publicly by Paul Grzella, Director of the Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board, show how closely connected they truly are.

Following the 2025 Annual Meeting of the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP), Grzella shared highlights from the event and the results of a national poll of workforce professionals via LinkedIn. The meeting reflected on accomplishments from 2025 while focusing squarely on the challenges and unanswered questions heading into 2026.

According to the poll results shared, funding stability remains the dominant concern nationwide. More than half of workforce professionals identified stability of federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding as the most important workforce issue today. Additionally, 62 percent reported being “very concerned” about how federal policy uncertainty could affect workforce programs.

For Greater Raritan residents, this matters because WIOA funding supports many of the job and career services available locally—career counseling, skills training, youth employment initiatives, and programs that help adults return to work or transition into new fields. When funding is uncertain, it becomes more difficult for local workforce partners to plan, expand programs, or respond quickly to employer needs.

The poll results also highlighted which populations workforce professionals believe need the strongest advocacy at the national level. Adult jobseekers ranked highest, followed by youth and residents of rural communities. These findings closely mirror the needs seen locally, where displaced workers, young people entering the workforce, and residents with limited access to training or transportation continue to seek support.

Operational challenges were another theme raised in the poll and shared by Grzella. Workforce organizations across the country cited funding instability, staffing shortages, and employer engagement as their most significant hurdles—factors that directly influence how efficiently services can be delivered to jobseekers and businesses alike.

Looking ahead to 2026, protecting and increasing workforce funding emerged as the top advocacy priority for workforce professionals nationwide. Respondents also emphasized the importance of clear communication with policymakers to ensure that the real impact of workforce programs on local communities is well understood.

As Grzella noted in sharing these findings with the public, the issues discussed at a national workforce conference are not abstract. They shape how local employers hire, how residents build skills, and how communities like Greater Raritan remain economically resilient.

For residents, jobseekers, and employers alike, staying informed about workforce trends—and how they translate locally—helps ensure that our region is prepared for both today’s labor market and the challenges ahead.

SOURCE:thegrwdb.org 

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