In FY 2023, DOL continued its conference review process involving the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management, and the Office of the Solicitor. For FY23, DOL incurred over $5.8 million in costs to the Department for conferences.

Throughout the year, DOL hosted a variety of conferences and trainings ranging from grantee trainings to agency leadership meetings which were designed to set the stage for the agency's significant initiatives for the next fiscal year, including organizational and management goals that are critical for the agency's successful implementation of its operating plan.

If there are any questions concerning this reporting, or if additional information is required, please contact Dylan Sacchetti, Office of the Chief Financial Officer, sacchetti.dylan.m.@dol.gov.

Department of Labor Conferences over $100,000 in costs to the Department

Agency: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics
Conference Title: Occupational Requirements Survey (ORS) Third Wave Training
Conference Expenses: $173,000
Location: Atlanta, GA
Date: July 25 – 27, 2023
Explanation: The purpose of the ORS Third Wave training was to provide training to Field Economists (FEs) on procedural changes to the ORS survey. The ORS program is funded by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to gather information on job requirements to be used in their disability determination process. ORS data are collected over a five-year period collection wave. BLS and SSA introduce changes to the ORS survey at the start of each wave. This event provided an overview of the changes to FEs and provided training on the new procedures and data elements.
Total Number of Federal Employee Participants: 151

Agency: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration
Conference Title: Investigative Techniques Training 
Conference Expenses: $125,611.41 
Location: Atlanta, GA
Dates: July 23-27, 2023 
Explanation: EBSA Investigative Techniques training is critical to achieving EBSA's mission. This training is key to ensuring that EBSA's investigators, auditors, and other professional staff are qualified to perform their jobs by being knowledgeable about the law governing employee benefit plans (ERISA); current on issues and trends related to regulating the very complicated financial and health care universe of private sector employee benefit plans and well-versed in techniques/approaches for conducting investigations or resolving individuals' questions concerning employee benefit plans. The topics planned for the training are required for the attendees to competently perform their jobs and clearly directed at supporting the agency's strategic goal, improving individual performance, and promoting EBSA's mission. This training is part of an integrated program of knowledge and skill development for professional staff.
Total Number of Federal Employee Participants: 72

Agency: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration
Conference Title: Managers' Training 
Conference Expenses: $125,611.41 
Location: Washington, DC
Dates: August 15-17, 2023 
Explanation: This training is key to ensuring that EBSA's management and senior technical cadre are qualified to perform their jobs by being (1) knowledgeable about current issues and trends relating to regulating the very complicated financial and health care universe of private sector employee benefit plans and (2) well-versed in techniques/approaches for managing a large organization. As illustrated in the agenda, consistent with prior years, the topics planned for the training are required for the attendees to competently perform their jobs and clearly directed at supporting the Secretary's Strategic Goal and Objective, improving individual performance, and promoting EBSA's mission. This training is an integrated program of executive level program planning and implementation, technical training for all participants through plenary sessions and workshops, individualized technical training for Senior Advisors, for both health and criminal investigations, and individualized training for the outreach, education, and assistance program.
Total Number of Federal Employee Participants: 229

Agency: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
Conference Title: YouthBuild New Grantee Orientation
Conference Expenses: $142,413.29
Location: Washington, DC
Date: August 22-24, 2023
Explanation: The purpose of the YouthBuild New Grantee Orientation (NGO) is to get the grantees off to a good start. Staff provide technical assistance (TA) and training on the fundamental components of the YouthBuild model, ensure compliance with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), reinforce best practices in performance reporting and data management, share innovations in Construction Plus programming and pre-apprenticeship models, and cover ETA requirements for successful grant management, including financial management and the Uniform Guidance.
Total Number of Federal Employee Participants: 16 plus grantees

Agency: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
Conference Title: Job Corps 2.0 Student Leadership Conference
Conference Expenses: $414,198.00
Location: Washington, DC
Date: December 1-2, 2022
Explanation: As authorized under the Workforce Opportunity and Innovation Act, this summit provided an opportunity to support responsible citizenship of and provided a service-learning opportunity to Job Corps students.  Students learned about diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) principles and also had the opportunity to share their perspectives on the program with the Secretary and National Office of Job Corps leadership and staff.  Additionally, students had the opportunity to practice advocacy in the context of providing their thoughts and feedback on the Job Corps 2.0 vision that focuses on a student-centered design and model that places student choice first. Total Number of Federal Employee Participants: 26 plus Jobs Corps related attendees

Agency: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
Conference Title: National Convening - Vision 2030: Investing in America's Workforce
Conference Expenses: $286,781.08
Location: Crystal City, Virginia
Date: May 16-18, 2023
Explanation: The purpose of the ETA National Convening in Washington, D.C. is to bring the workforce development system – employers, industry partners, community organizations, philanthropy, and local/state/federal leaders – together to break down silos and identify opportunities for increased collaboration. The convening will also be an opportunity to lift up promising, innovative practices and to inspire engagement from key players in the workforce ecosystem.
Total Number of Federal Employee Participants: 90 plus grantees and partners

Agency: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
Conference Title: Regional Convening - Vision 2030: Investing in America's Workforce
Conference Expenses: $202,246.90
Location: San Diego, California
Date: August 14 - 16, 2023
Explanation: The ETA Regional convenings is an opportunity to formally launch the ETA Vision 2030 and a chance to come together in this pivotal moment—public, private, educational, nonprofit—to ensure that we build a new economy that works for all Americans. It is an opportunity to highlight and uplift existing programs, build on success by scaling up together, and create strategic plans to meet the needs of the future. The goal of these meetings is to bring the content and themes of the ETA Vision 2030 National Workforce Convening to all of the regions.
Total Number of Federal Employee Participants: 40 plus grantees and partners

Agency: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
Conference Title: Regional Convening - Vision 2030: Investing in America's Workforce
Conference Expenses: $120,176.05
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Date: September 18-20, 2023
Explanation: The ETA Regional convenings is an opportunity to formally launch the ETA Vision 2030 and a chance to come together in this pivotal moment—public, private, educational, nonprofit—to ensure that we build a new economy that works for all Americans. It is an opportunity to highlight and uplift existing programs, build on success by scaling up together, and create strategic plans to meet the needs of the future. The goal of these meetings is to bring the content and themes of the ETA Vision 2030 National Workforce Convening to all of the regions.
Total Number of Federal Employee Participants: 40 plus grantees and partners

Agency: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
Conference Title: Job Quality Academy Summit I
Conference Expenses: $235,599.48
Location: Washington, DC
Date: June 28-30, 2023
Explanation: The Job Quality Academy (JQA) aims to empower selected teams from the public workforce development system through professional development and strategic planning. This opportunity allowed communities to take immediate action on guidance provided in Training Employment and Guidance Letter 07-22 and the Department of Labor's Good Jobs Initiative. Participants gained a profound understanding of job quality principles, learned how to integrate them into policies and programs, and received guidance on immediate next steps for maximum impact.  Participants in the JQA are using their experiences to assist the Department in the development of technical assistance for the broader workforce development system. 
Total Number of Federal Employee Participants: 7 plus partners

Agency: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
Conference Title: Job Quality Academy Summit II
Conference Expenses: $159,958.64
Location: Washington, DC
Date: September 27-29, 2023
Explanation: The Job Quality Academy (JQA) aims to empower selected teams from the public workforce development system through professional development and strategic planning. This opportunity allowed communities to take immediate action on guidance provided in Training Employment and Guidance Letter 07-22 and the Department of Labor's Good Jobs Initiative. Participants gained a profound understanding of job quality principles, learned how to integrate them into policies and programs, and received guidance on immediate next steps for maximum impact.  Participants in the JQA are using their experiences to assist the Department in the development of technical assistance for the broader workforce development system. 
Total Number of Federal Employee Participants: 7 plus partners

Agency: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division
Conference Title: Basic I Training
Conference Expenses: $196,842.10
Location: Houston, TX
Date: December 5-16, 2022
Explanation: Basic I Investigator Training is a training designed to educate new investigators about WHD's enforcement responsibilities and agency procedures.  This training focuses primarily on the statutory provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and applicable regulations, as well as the investigative techniques to be used in enforcing these provisions.  One day is set aside to cover the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the unique aspects of the FLSA as it relates to state and local governments. The Basic I and II courses are the bedrock of WHD's formal training program.
Total Number of Federal Employee Participants: 102

Agency: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division
Conference Title: Basic I Training
Conference Expenses: $227,962.17
Location: Indianapolis IN
Date: May 8-12, 2023
Explanation: Basic I Investigator Training is a training designed to educate new investigators about WHD's enforcement responsibilities and agency procedures.  This training focuses primarily on the statutory provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and applicable regulations, as well as the investigative techniques to be used in enforcing these provisions.  One day is set aside to cover the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the unique aspects of the FLSA as it relates to state and local governments. The Basic I and II courses are the bedrock of WHD's formal training program.
Total Number of Federal Employee Participants: 109

Agency: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division
Conference Title: FY 2023 Managers' Training 
Conference Expenses: $368,902.86
Location: San Antonio, TX
Date: June 5-9, 2023
Explanation: Basic I Investigator Training is a training designed to educate new investigators about WHD's enforcement responsibilities and agency procedures.  This training focuses primarily on the statutory provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and applicable regulations, as well as the investigative techniques to be used in enforcing these provisions.  One day is set aside to cover the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the unique aspects of the FLSA as it relates to state and local governments. The Basic I and II courses are the bedrock of WHD's formal training program.
Total Number of Federal Employee Participants: 274