FED ON ALERT: Powell warns jobs slowdown may be worse than reported

Group 1 - The government shutdown has led to planned layoffs of federal workers, which the Trump administration attributes to political maneuvering by Democrats [1][2][5] - An executive order signed by President Trump aims to ensure accountability in federal hiring and promote fiscal responsibility [2][8] - The Labor Department is currently unable to assist states with workforce training grants due to the shutdown, impacting efforts to prepare workers for jobs in AI and advanced manufacturing [11][30] Group 2 - Business owners express a need for lower interest rates to facilitate borrowing for workforce investment, with expectations for multiple rate cuts this year [13][25][27] - The focus is shifting towards skilled trades rather than traditional four-year degrees, emphasizing the need for training in areas like AI and advanced manufacturing [28][29] - The delay in releasing key economic reports due to the shutdown is causing uncertainty in the market, affecting business planning and investment decisions [16][18][20]