2013 Department of Labor Budget & Your Career

The 2013 Department of Labor budget reflects fiscal responsibility, while demonstrating a willingness to invest in career training and much needed worker protection. 

The Secretary of Labor, Hilda L. Solis 

According to the Secretary of Labor, Hilda L. Solis, "We are at a make or break moment for the middle class, and the Labor Department's fiscal year 2013 budget request reflects our commitment to supporting an American economy that's built to last... Our budget request focuses on programs that will help keep America's workforce strong and innovative, while providing needed worker protections. It also makes responsible and reasonable cuts that are rooted in current economic realities and a continued focus on increased efficiency and effectiveness." 


The 2013 Department of Labor budget calls for investments in programs that assist individuals in their efforts to secure and retain gainful employment and supports veterans. The department seeks to do this in a manner that is not only effective, but efficient. The Department of Education will work with and assist in the funding of a Workforce Innovation Fund, which will support innovative, systemic and evidence-based reforms in the workforce system. The Departments of Labor and Education will also work together on a new $8 billion Community College to Career Fund, to help community colleges provide pathways to high-skilled jobs in high-growth industries.

While there are a lot of good things about the budget, it reflects difficult choices and consolidations that some may find not so favorable. Everything was done to maximize overall budget and program effectiveness and efficiency. The budget also seeks to demonstrate the commitment to enhancing worker health and safety. In addition to the aforementioned, the budget will fight violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act- allowing workers the benefits and protections they are legally entitled.  

The 2013 Department of Labor Budget will work to provide you, and your career, with strength, innovation and protection. If you are unemployed, the budget will prove to be of great benefit to your efforts to secure and retain employment. The 2013 Department of Labor Budget not only maximizes the effectiveness and efficiency of the budget and program, it maximizes the effectiveness and efficiency of your career.