TUESDAY APRIL 21
Day 1 — 3 sessions
- 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
Keynote: Rebel with Purpose
In this opening keynote, Tirza Barnes calls workforce leaders to rebel with purpose against the most limiting phrase in our field: “we've never done that.” As the world of work changes, progress demands free-thinkers — leaders who challenge old assumptions, innovate with intention, and build programs that adapt fast. From navigating technology shifts to transforming employer engagement and strengthening jobseeker experiences, this session delivers a bold push to retire what's stale, pilot what's next, and build what works — at scale. Expect high energy, practical tools, and a clear rebel roadmap for modern results.
- 1:45 PM – 3:00 PM
Break
- 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Moving from Compliance to Momentum: A Human-Centered Approach to Implementing SNAP Work Requirements
As SNAP and Medicaid work requirements expand, workforce systems must balance compliance, volume, and customer experience. This session shares a practical, human-centered triage model that helps participants self-identify without stigma, access priority support, and complete required activities efficiently — while reducing staff strain and partner confusion. Whether you are a Career Center operator, SNAP E&T provider, or community partner referring clients with work requirements, join this session to explore a practical model to improve coordination, reduce sanctions, and deliver a smoother customer experience from the very first point of contact.
- 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM
The New Rules of Talent Development
AI has infiltrated various aspects of business — whether it is hiring decisions or the jobs themselves. The landscape of work is shifting yet again, but how do you find and train workers to meet these growing skill needs? Learn how organizations are rethinking skills assessments and training to hire and develop talent. Experts from Skillsoft and SHL will share their insights on training and assessments, while Year Up highlights how they tackle this issue in their current programs to prepare young people for the new world of work.
WEDNESDAY APRIL 22
Day 2 — 4 sessions
- 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM
Make Professional Development a Priority
Too often, professional development is an afterthought when it should be a priority. Investing in staff training produces exponential returns in better service delivery, productivity, and operations. Every organization should want to improve their teams' skills. GOWBI and the PA Department of Labor & Industry share their approaches in offering comprehensive internal training programs to empower their staff.
- 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM
Pathways to Opportunities with Rapid Reskilling
Communities can't afford to wait when unexpected circumstances occur. Whether it is layoffs, natural disasters, or recession, the hiring and business landscape changes quickly. We must balance adapting services and training to help constituents rapidly reskill and gain jobs, to prepare workers to meet employer demand, and to account for skills needs of the future. Find out how these innovators tackled these challenges head-on in their local areas.
- 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Break
- 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM
Reshaping America's Workforce: Policy, Skills, and Opportunity
Policy shifts are challenging the workforce status quo. We must embrace smart upskilling solutions that deliver real results for workers and businesses alike. This panel explores how leaders in government and industry are disrupting outdated systems through innovative partnerships, skills-first hiring, and employer-driven career pathways. Panelists will confront what must change — and how to lead the workforce rebellion.
- 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Industrial-Strength Credentials with Immediate Impact
Employers are embracing a skills-first economy. For many job seekers, adding new credentials to a résumé provides an instant difference in getting noticed by recruiters or getting to the top of the hiring list. Short-term credentials are proof of real skills and a sound investment in gaining employment, retention, and moving up the career ladder. In this session, we will talk about some of the credentials that make an immediate impact on employability and workforce success.
THURSDAY APRIL 23
Day 3 — 3 sessions
- 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM
The Playbook for Reentry Resilience
How do you build resilience, remove barriers, and provide opportunities for justice-involved talent? It takes multiple partners and a network of supportive services to build a bridge to success. Hear how these powerful programs overcame their challenges in implementing holistic support and digital training to help individuals reenter the workforce.
- 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Creative Community Outreach Initiatives
Whether it is learning the lingo of the upcoming youth workforce or ensuring that older workers are aware of services, many tools make it easier to reach people where they are. Outreach can be easy if you use the right tools. Cultivate your business mindset to connect more of your community with training and services through these expert marketing tips and tricks!
- 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Break
- 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
Wasted Talent: How the Best Workforce Systems Move from Wasting Talent to Winning with It
Across cities, states, and federal programs, billions are invested to prepare people for work, yet too many capable workers remain disconnected from opportunities. Sam Caucci, Founder & CEO of 1Huddle and a longtime partner to public workforce systems tackles a hard truth: the problem isn't worker ability, it's how our systems identify, develop, and advance talent. We will walk through why traditional job training models struggle to translate into real outcomes, how workers build confidence and readiness for work, and where public workforce programs unintentionally lose talent along the way. Get a clear, actionable playbook for turning wasted talent into measurable progress — helping workforce systems deliver better outcomes for workers, employers, and the communities they serve.