Summary
The NASWA 2025 Summit in Dallas highlighted how state workforce agencies are leading the way in shaping the future of employment. Sessions and survey data revealed four key takeaways from the NASWA 2025 Summit: The growing role of AI, data, and analytics in workforce policy; the urgent need for digital transformation; the importance of human-centered service; and the power of strategic partnerships. These insights underscore how agencies can modernize systems, improve service delivery, and build resilience in a changing labor market.
[Estimated read time: 6 minutes]
How state workforce agencies are shaping the future of employment
The National Association of Workforce Agencies (NASWA) 2025 Summit in Dallas highlighted the critical role of state workforce agencies in preparing the nation for an evolving labor market. The sessions, presentations, and discussions revealed core themes that are shaping a vision for the future of workforce development and a clear path forward.
These themes were strongly validated by Resultant’s pre-NASWA 2025 Pulse Survey, which provided insights into the challenges workforce leaders face, opportunities they see, and where their agencies are headed.
1) AI, data, and analytics: Data-driven decisions about services and policy
The Summit made it clear that data is a foundational component of modern workforce solutions. With sessions that ranged from using AI to combat fraud and improve communication, to leveraging analytics for real-time labor market insights, the agenda showcased a system that’s becoming more data-enabled than ever.
States are now focused on transforming their operations into “powerhouse data analytics units,” using these insights to improve service delivery and better inform policy. Given recent reductions in federal funding, state workforce agencies are taking a more intentional approach to using AI and analytics to accelerate innovation.
The Resultant Pulse Survey found that the top priorities for data and analytics investments for the coming year will be:
- Data governance (45%)
- ROI tracking (45%)
- Cross-agency integration (45%)
- Dashboard development (27%)
Advancements in AI-powered data analytics enable agencies to make proactive, informed decisions, ensuring policies and services are both effective and universal.
Takeaway:
Investing in robust data infrastructure and thoughtfully integrating AI tools are essential to improving service delivery and making policy decisions that deliver meaningful, measurable impact. At the same time, state workforce agencies must balance innovation and security to deploy new technology responsibly and provide practical benefits.
2) Modernization: Achieving true digital transformation
The top operational obstacles to improvement cited in the Resultant Pulse Survey include:
- Siloed data systems (36%)
- Outdated technology (27%)
- Difficulty showing ROI (18%)
- Inefficient public services (18%)
This reinforces another major theme from NASWA 2025: The need and demand for infrastructure modernization and digital transformation. Agencies are moving to replace outdated, legacy systems with solutions that are integrated, agile, and outcome focused.
This push for innovation is about more than just technology. It’s about creating an interconnected ecosystem that can adapt to changing demands and better serve job seekers and employers.
True digital transformation integrates technology and data into all areas of operation. Agencies must rethink processes and workflows and embrace flexible solutions that foster continuous improvement and long-term value.
When asked about opportunities for digital transformation, participants in the Resultant survey said they see the most promise in the following areas:
- Automation (36%)
- AI and predictive tools (27%)
- Enhanced analytics (18%)
- Citizen experience (9%)
- System modernization (9%)
Takeaway:
Modernization through digital transformation is a holistic endeavor. Agencies must recognize challenges that are holding them back and explore integrated solutions that address specific problems today and deliver value in the future.
3) Human focus: Making people priority one
The Summit reaffirmed the importance of human-centered leadership and service. Discussions focused on how to lead effectively in an “unpredictable world” and the critical need to serve all Americans.
Speakers discussed the need to balance AI with HI, or human intelligence. This approach uses AI to provide a personalized, self-serve experience for the job seeker, but also enables case managers and program administrators to support and interact with job seekers more effectively on a human level.
NASWA 2025 sessions addressed specific populations, including justice-involved individuals, young Americans, and people with disabilities. This underscores a commitment to prioritizing accessibility in every initiative, with programs designed to meet many different types of needs and ensure that no one is left behind.
According to the Resultant survey, workforce leaders believe the following tools and capabilities would be most beneficial to stakeholders:
- Career navigation (45%)
- Dashboards (45%)
- Automated eligibility (36%)
- Unified digital portal (36%)
Takeaway:
Workforce leadership should take a human-centered approach that leverages technology to make programs accessible and deliver real-world benefits to all families and individuals, regardless of their circumstances.
4) Strategic collaboration: Cultivating stronger partnerships
The solution to virtually any problem in the public sector (or any industry, for that matter) is found through collaboration, which was a recurring topic throughout the NASWA 2025 Summit. The event highlighted the power of partnerships, such as cross-agency collaborations that break down silos and strategic relationships between public sector agencies and private technology vendors.
The message was clear: Tackling the complex challenges of today’s workforce requires stronger partnerships and a unified approach across all sectors. These relationships build resilience and scalability, forming the foundation for a robust workforce ecosystem.
Takeaway:
Just like siloed data must be integrated to maximize efficiency, state agencies must come together with government partners, private industry, and community organizations to build alignment and maximize impact of workforce programs.
Next steps
The NASWA 2025 Summit shed new light on a workforce system that’s actively innovating, using technology and data to improve efficiency while strengthening the collaborative partnerships needed to build a more resilient future for the American workforce.
The core themes of the Summit, reinforced by the findings of the Resultant Pulse Survey, reveal a shared vision for success and a clear path forward. Today’s complex, constantly evolving labor market requires workforce leaders to:
- Invest in digital transformation: Prioritize data governance and AI to modernize systems and improve operations.
- Foster partnerships: Build and strengthen collaborative relationships to overcome implementation barriers and create a unified ecosystem.
- Focus on people: Ensure that all investments and initiatives are grounded in a commitment to inclusive, human-centered service.
Resultant offers a complimentary Workforce Strategy Session to identify your next steps and provide clarity on a plan of action.
Contact us to schedule yours today!
