Description

Arrive Early - Before the main stage opens, join a small‑group session
 with our Pre-Conference Series

Policy & Advocacy Update - Join Bill Bova and Chris Andresen to learn What Workforce Leaders Need to know. Get the latest insights from government relations experts and key stakeholders on issues impacting workforce development     

Workforce Pell Update - Lynette Kuhn, Ed.D., Deputy Secretary for Postsecondary & Higher Education, Pennsylvania Department of Education + James Martini, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Workforce Development Board 

Bundle and Save - Go to the Pre-Conference Event Page

The current workforce development environment is challenging to keep track of due to swift changes in funding priorities and policy at the Department of Labor and the consolidation of the Department of Education with DOL. To help you understand this complicated moment, please join us for a workshop led by Nick Beadle, founder of the JOBS THAT WORK newsletter, former DOL workforce chief staff, and co-author of "The Nexus Method for Workforce Development" blending apprenticeship and skills-first hiring. Nick will cover what you need to know at this moment, what strategies are worth thinking about, and what you need to prepare for to navigate what's ahead.

Pre-Conference Evening Session
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Hershey Lodge
Confection Hall - Empire AB
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Registration Fee: Members: $60   |   Non-Members: $100

About Nick Beadle

Nick Beadle is one of America's top experts on jobs policy, workforce development, and public investment. He consults with philanthropies, government agencies, companies, and others on how to do workforce better, and he writes the twice-weekly JOBS THAT WORK newsletter (http://jobsthat.work), one of the top-100 newsletters in the world on Substack. With Dr. Joy Coates, he recently authored "The Nexus Method," a white paper published by Third Sector Capital Partners describing how to blend skills-first hiring and Registered Apprenticeship to improve both. 

Nick spent 11 years at the U.S. Department of Labor, where he last served as Chief of Staff for Workforce and Communications for DOL's Good Jobs Initiative. In this role, Nick oversaw billions of dollars DOL invests each year in workforce programs. Nick also is an expert on non-college pathways to good jobs, including Registered Apprenticeship and skills-based hiring, on which he authored the Skills-First Starter Kit, a best-in-class guide for employers. Nick is an attorney and former investigative reporter.