Goodwill on the Hill 2026: Elevating Workforce Solutions That Work

Last week, more than 100 advocates including local Goodwill CEOs, leaders, board members and program participants from across the country gathered on Capitol Hill this April for Goodwill on the Hill 2026, meeting with over 200 Members of Congress and Congressional staff to advocate for workforce solutions that meet today’s economic realities.

Throughout the day, Goodwill advocates shared how locally driven, employer‑aligned training programs are helping individuals build skills, access jobs, and strengthen their communities—while underscoring the need for continued federal investment in workforce development and system reform.

A featured moment of the event was remarks from Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling, who spoke with Goodwill leaders about the Administration’s efforts to modernize education and training systems. He emphasized that traditional models are no longer sufficient for today’s economy and highlighted the Department of Labor’s expanded role in closing the nation’s skills gap.

During their Hill visits, Goodwill leaders reinforced a clear message throughout the day: local Goodwill organizations are trusted workforce partners, delivering proven, employer‑responsive solutions while advancing opportunity, sustainability, and economic mobility in communities nationwide.

As workforce challenges grow more complex, Goodwill on the Hill 2026 reaffirmed the importance of elevating local solutions at the national level—and the power of collective advocacy to shape a more inclusive, future‑ready workforce system.

You can help amplify our efforts by contacting your lawmakers via our Legislative Action Center.