Colorado plans to create a workforce development agency to streamline postsecondary education and training. A report commissioned by Gov. Jared Polis recommends consolidating services to address the state's "talent wall," with a shortage of skilled workers and an aging population.

The Salisbury Police Department in Maryland has donated a refurbished police vehicle to Parkside High School as part of a partnership with Wicomico County Public Schools. Students in Parkside High School's Career & Technical Education program played a central role in the project, refurbishing the donated police vehicle through their Collision Repair and Criminal Justice classes, gaining hands-on experience in both automotive and law enforcement fields.

Culinary arts students at Santa Cruz Valley Union High School created a three-minute video demonstrating pork recipes as part of the Arizona Pork Council's "Taste What Pork Can Do" contest. Though they did not place, students said the project strengthened their cooking skills, teamwork and confidence as they prepare for future competitions.

Three students from West Fargo Public Schools in North Dakota have jump-started their careers through the work-study program with the Cass County Career and Technical Academy. The program, supported by local businesses and state funding, provides students with hands-on experience and educational credits.

The number of unique credentials in the US has reached 1.8 million, with digital badges surpassing 1 million, according to Credential Engine. The report highlights a significant shift towards skills-based hiring, with digital badges allowing workers to showcase specific skills more effectively. Colleges and universities are increasingly interested in offering nondegree credentials, though concerns about quality persist.

Workers in a number of states, cities and counties are expected to see higher minimum wages at the beginning of next year as a result of scheduled increases. Meanwhile, some groups in Washington, D.C., are seeking to add a ballot initiative that would raise the city's minimum wage to $25 an hour and eliminate the tax credit.

The Pennsylvania government will provide nearly $400,000 to the Lancaster County Workforce Development Board to expand the Robotic Worx pre-apprenticeship program in partnership with Millersville University and Precision Cobotics. The funding is part of a broader $4.2 million investment to advance manufacturing training, including $200,000 for the Manufacturers' Association to expand apprenticeship programs across several counties.

The manufacturing sector saw 329,000 job separations in October 2025, a 0.6% increase from September but an improvement from 332,000 separations in October 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Job openings rose 6.5% month over month to 410,000, but hires fell 4.4%. Job cuts were notable in plastics and rubber products, semiconductor and electronic components and transportation equipment.