Next Level Now
Providing technical assistance to boost workforce performance & innovation.
About
Next Level Now
The Next Level Now (NLN) Technical Assistance (TA) Collaborative provides short- and long-term TA to strengthen the public workforce system at the state and local levels. In partnership with the Employment and Training Administration (ETA), NLN supports Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I programs, the Wagner-Peyser Employment Service program, and required one-stop partners.
NLN’s TA is guided by the five pillars of America’s Talent Strategy:
- Industry-Driven Strategies
- Worker Mobility
- Integrated Systems
- Accountability
- Flexibility and Innovation
NLN helps states and local areas strengthen workforce system effectiveness, performance, and efficiency by supporting strategies tailored to local needs. TA is delivered through peer learning, webinars, coaching, and virtual resources to help workforce entities provide high-quality services, meet the needs of job seekers and employers, and comply with federal requirements.
NLN operates through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor’s ETA. It is led by the American Institutes for Research (AIR) and supported by national partners, including the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) and Social Policy Research Associates (SPR). Together, these organizations bring expertise, resources, and networks to develop and share TA products and services that improve system alignment and drive meaningful change.
Worker Mobility in Action: State Strategies to Expand Participation Advancement
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Event Summary
Workforce Pell opens up potential for students to access federal financial aid for programs that have not traditionally been eligible. But it is more than that. Its design requires cross-system implementation efforts that link higher education opportunities to workforce policy, labor market demand, student supports, and outcome accountability.
Moderator(s)
Tiffany Smith, Enterprise Program Advisor, Employment & Training Administration, U.S. Department of LaborPresenter(s)
Justin Nalley, Manager for Policy and Strategic Initiatives, Maryland Governor's Workforce Development Board
Lara Pastore, Associate Chief, Talent Development, Indiana Department of Workforce Development
Maddy Thompson, Acting Executive Director, Washington Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board
Meghan Wills, Senior TA Consultant, American Institutes for Research
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Event Summary
Join us for an America’s Talent Strategy webinar that will explore what industry-driven workforce strategies look like in practice at the local level. This webinar will examine how workforce development boards and their partners align workforce, education, economic development, and employer efforts around shared talent priorities and regional economic needs.
Moderator(s)
Jennifer Friedman, Regional Administrator, Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of LaborPresenter(s)
Amy Lebednick, Director of Business Solutions, West Michigan Works!Steven Bridges, Industry & Education Engagement Manager, Workforce Solutions Greater DallasJoe Thiry, Technical Assistance Consultant, American Institutes for Research -
Event Summary
Join us for an America’s Talent Strategy webinar that takes a practical, implementation-focused look at what Integrated Systems mean in real-world settings - why they matter, what makes them challenging, and what you can realistically do next. We’ll explore common barriers, real constraints, and the practical levers within your sphere of influence. You’ll also gain actionable strategies, examples from the field, and a preview of the next session in the America’s Talent Strategy webinar series.
Moderator(s)
Dr. Tamika Ledbetter, Regional Administrator, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Region 6Presenter(s)
Ronda Anderson, Liaison to the Missouri State Workforce Board, Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce DevelopmentAndrea Glaze, Workforce Outcomes Coordinator, Virginia WorksCherise Moore, Principal Technical Assistance Consultant, American Institutes for ResearchChristy Montgomery, Senior Technical Assistance Consultant, American Institutes for Research -
How States Can Align Registered Apprenticeship, Workforce, and Education Systems for Greater Impact
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This National Apprenticeship Week webinar, hosted by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship, will explore how stronger alignment between Registered Apprenticeship, workforce development, and education systems drives better outcomes for workers, employers, and communities. Featuring state apprenticeship leaders and local practitioners, the session will highlight how policies, partnerships, and practices work together to support apprenticeship expansion.
Moderator(s)
James Foti, Regional Director, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Philadelphia Regional Office, Office of ApprenticeshipPresenter(s)
Gina Wells, Senior TA Consultant, American Institutes for Research
Chris MacLarion, Director, Maryland Office of Apprenticeship
Dr. Minah Woo, Vice President of Workforce, Innovation, and Strategic Partnerships, Howard Community College
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Event Summary
Wagner-Peyser employment service (ES) staff are integral to the comprehensive offerings of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funded American Job Centers (AJCs). Among the many partners within the AJC is the ES team. ES was established nearly a century ago to facilitate job seeker and employer needs through challenging times and economic booms.
Moderator(s)
Robert Kight, Director, Division of Adult Services and Governance, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
Facilitator: Laurie Bouillon Larrea, Senior Advisor, National Association of Workforce Boards
Presenter(s)
Correy Eimer, Associate Director, Northern Kentucky Area Development District
Connie Schnell, Regional Program Manager, East Central Region, Career Development Office, Education and Labor Cabinet
Diana Goldwire, Assistant Executive Director for Employment Services, South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce
Kevin Herring, Administrator, Workforce Solutions Administration, AZ Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services, Department of Economic Security
Billy Francis, Executive Director, Coconino Workforce Development Board
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Event Summary
Workforce development can no longer be the "best kept secret!" Join us for this roundtable event, focused on innovative strategies for outreach! This webinar is a follow-up to the previous "Elevate Your Outreach" webinar, which was held in October 2024, and will provide more in-depth detail on reasonable outreach methods, while expanding peer-to-peer learning in facilitated breakout rooms.
Moderator(s)
Tobby Willis, Federal Project Officer, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
Presenter(s)
Jennifer Ricks, Director, Youth Services, Employ Prince George's
Manuel Ugues, Regional Director, SERCO of Texas
Dr. Ricardo Villalobos, Chief Programs Officer, Workforce Connections
Malik M. L. Williams, Project Coordinator, Workforce Connections
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Event Summary
The On-the-Job Training (OJT) toolkit has been refreshed with new examples of contracts, invoicing, and other items needed for effectively conducting OJTs in your workforce system. During this informative session, subject matter experts will review the toolkit and provide promising practices from the field for how OJT is helping them revolutionize training.
Moderator(s)
Heather Fleck, Adult Services Unit Chief, U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration
Presenter(s)
Kate James, Statewide Union Career Development Consultant and Career Coach Lead, Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers Program, Oregon Employment Department
James Disbro, Senior Director, Regional Alignment & Programs Development, CareerSource Suncoast
Lisa Rice, SME Consultant/Workforce Board Liaison, Safal Partners
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Event Summary
Workforce Development can no longer be the “best kept secret!” This webinar will provide proven strategies and promising practices to increase customer outreach and expand engagement with the business community.
Moderator(s)
Tobby Willis, Federal Project Officer, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
Presenter(s)
Jennifer Ricks, Director, Youth Services, Employ Prince George's
Manuel Ugues, Regional Director, SERCO of Texas
Dr. Ricardo Villalobos, Chief Programs Officer, Workforce Connections
Malik M. L. Williams, Project Coordinator, Workforce Connections
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Event Summary
This webinar offers local workforce boards a valuable opportunity to learn how to optimize planning and certification processes to strengthen Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) operations and enhance community engagement. The session will emphasize effective state and regional collaboration, along with innovative strategies for boosting performance.
Moderator(s)
Sean Fox, Workforce Development Analyst, Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
Facilitator: Laurie Bouillon Larrea, Senior Advisor, National Association of Workforce Boards
Presenter(s)
Linda Angel, PhD. , Deputy Executive Director, Workforce Solutions of Central Texas
Kerry Manning, Executive Director, Southern Workforce Board, Inc. (OK)
Keely J. Schneider, Executive Director, Workforce Partnership (KS)
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Event Summary
Join career coach supervisors from across the nation to uncover resources and tools for clients’ career assessments and resume assistance. This session is part of an exclusive “Train the Trainer” cohort, aiming to enhance the skills and expertise of workforce development supervisors who manage career coaches within American Job Centers. However, we are opening this webinar to the public, to encourage broader dissemination of promising practices within the realm of career coaching.
Moderator(s)
Lauren Fairley, Workforce Analyst, Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
Kimberly Meadows, Training Director, National Association of Workforce Development Professionals
Presenter(s)
Joseph Seymour, CEO and Owner, Manifest Maximum
