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Preparing the Workforce by Strengthening Cradle-to-Career Pathways
As detailed in LABI’s 2026 Program of Work, plenty of strides have been made in the education and workforce development space over the last few years. While improved education standards and rankings are a cause for celebration, much work remains.
A main policy focus for LABI this session is strengthening cradle-to-career pathways. Though a complex, multifaceted issue, LABI is taking decisive action on several specific legislative efforts to achieve that goal, including:
- supporting access to high-quality early childhood education,
- expanding work-based learning opportunities such as internships and apprenticeships,
- introducing industry-guided career courses into high school classrooms, and
- preparing Louisianans for high-wage, high-demand careers—keeping our best and brightest here while making Louisiana a premier destination for job creators and families.
To help lay the groundwork for our shared vison, LABI was pleased to be joined by Rep. John Wyble (R-Bogalusa) on our Sounds of Session podcast. You can listen to the latest episode here.
“As we raise expectations, as we experience historic rankings in education, we cannot rest,” he said. “There are still too many of our children and families that need us.”
He is carrying multiple bills this session that support the mission and policy recommendations in LABI’s LA Driven strategic plan, fostering economic growth by prioritizing alignment in education and workforce development efforts.
HB 680 codifies an executive order issued by Gov. Jeff Landry in January to consolidate and streamline the state’s workforce system under LA Works. The EO directs LA Works to do the following:
- Authorize the state’s Workforce Investment Council to perform local board functions and allow the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act State Plan to serve as the regional plan for all areas.
- Consolidate oversight, contracting and administrative functions at the state level to eliminate duplicative local requirements.
- Replace fragmented local oversight with a statewide monitoring system that ensures fiscal integrity and administrative efficiency.
- Allow workforce funds to be received and managed as a block grant to reduce administrative burden and support statewide priorities.
- Redirect resources from unnecessary governance and infrastructure toward training, work-based learning, employment services and supportive services.
- Expand flexible training investments, pay-for-performance contracting and coordinated workforce/supportive services to help citizens secure long-term employment and career advancement.
“It’s an innovative approach to workforce development,” Rep. Wyble said. “Louisiana is the only state [to receive] from the U.S. Department of Labor a waiver for us to be able to do this.
“I understand that we have different needs around the state. That shouldn’t prevent us from being as efficient and as strategic and as targeted with federal workforce dollars as we can be. We can have a plan, and we can have a coordinated effort.
“[This legislation] is going to allow us to take more federal dollars and actually put it into direct workforce development, where we can help people upskill, reskill … all the things they need to do to achieve that financial independence, to see the importance of their contribution to our workforce.”
Another top priority for LABI is broadening career exposure to students to strengthen the workforce pipeline. HB 268 by dedicated education advocate Rep. Kim Carver (R-Mandeville) expands career exposure for students in grades 6-8. Additionally, it requires K-5 schools to provide students with a least one career-related activity by the end of 5th grade.
A major focus for LABI and its members is beefing up school to-work transition—the ability of middle-school and high-school students to succeed in the Louisiana workforce after graduation. There is a major emphasis throughout the U.S. on providing greater career awareness, exposure to the workplace and actual work experience. Business leaders across the nation believe the lack of workplace exposure and work experience among American youth to be highly problematic.
In a 2025 hiring report, the U.S. Chamber found that 84% of hiring managers agree that most high school students are not prepared to enter the workforce. Those same managers believe graduates with industry-recognized credentials are more prepared.
LABI’s 2026 LA Driven Annual Report maps out our most ambitious workforce goal: expanding school-to-work opportunities. Achieving this will require deep collaboration among schools, employers, workforce agencies and regional partners.
LABI will continue to emphasize educational excellence as essential for improving the attractiveness of Louisiana as a destination for families, and to prepare the state’s future workforce. We look forward to highlighting other education and workforce legislation throughout the session.