DOL Issues Guidance Urging States to Use Grants for AI Training and Literacy

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)’s Employment and Training Administration recently issued guidance designed to help states take advantage of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act grants to increase AI literacy and training across the workforce.

Sent to state workforce agencies, state workforce administrators, state workforce liaisons, state and local workforce board chairs and directors, labor commissioners and American job centers, the guidance encourages states and local workforce development boards to use funding from that legislation to support AI literacy among participants in WIOA Title I Youth, Adult, and Dislocated Worker programs.

The department is also encouraging states to use their governor’s reserve funds to integrate AI learning opportunities into programming. The guidance highlights related resources from the department’s Competency Model Clearinghouse, the National Science Foundation, and AI.gov as well.

“As AI continues to reshape the labor market, we are seeing entire new categories of jobs be created, many of which are high-paying and no longer require a four-year degree,” said Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling, in a statement.

“We believe that AI literacy is the gateway to opportunity in an AI-driven economy, and this guidance will ensure that more Americans have access to the foundational AI skills they need to succeed.”