Strengthening the Workforce Development Profession in 2025
In 2025, the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) continued to advance the workforce development field by equipping professionals with practical skills, strengthening professional networks, and elevating the collective voice of the industry. Through expanded education, growing community engagement, and increased social impact, NAWDP helped workforce professionals deliver stronger outcomes for job seekers, employers, and communities nationwide. The year reflected a clear commitment to innovation, collaboration, and professional excellence — ensuring workforce development remains responsive to economic change and prepared for the future of work.
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Professional Development Impact
Professional development remains central to NAWDP’s mission. In 2025, learning opportunities expanded across events, certifications, and training programs, giving workforce professionals accessible pathways to deepen expertise, earn credentials, and strengthen service delivery across systems.
Events
NAWDP events provided opportunities for learning, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing across the workforce ecosystem.
2025 Highlights:
- 2,850 attendees across NAWDP’s flagship events, including the NAWDP Annual Conference, Youth Symposium, and Business Services Academy.
- Representation from 49 states, 3 U.S. territories, and 2 countries.
- A total of 239 sessions offered.
- Structured networking workshop sessions added to allow additional opportunities for attendees to interact and share best practices.
Certification
Professional certification continued to elevate standards across the workforce development field, reinforcing credibility and supporting career advancement.
2025 Certification Impact
- 747 professionals earned certification in 2025
- 1,579 total Certified Workforce Development Professionals (CWDP) as of December 2025
- 48 Business Services Endorsements (BSE) earned in 2025
- 124 professionals holding endorsements by year-end
New Certification Launch
- Certified Workforce Development Leader (CWDL) introduced in 2025
- First cohort began with 20 leaders, signaling a growing commitment to leadership development within the field.
These certifications strengthen workforce professionals’ ability to deliver consistent, high-quality services and build trust among employers, partners, and policymakers.
Training Programs
NAWDP expanded training opportunities designed to meet professionals at every stage of their careers — from new entrants to experienced leaders seeking advanced skills.
New Initiatives
- Leadership Academy launched its first cohort in 2025
- New Professionals Cohort introduced to support early-career workforce professionals
- Mentor component established with selected mentors guiding emerging leaders
Toolkits and Professional Resources
- Career Catalyst Assessment launched, with 56 participants completing assessments and receiving personalized results
- New Workers Toolkit developed to support onboarding and early skill-building
- Program Transition Community Guide created to assist organizations navigating change and system evolution
Digital Learning
- 3,821 total registrations for digital learning opportunities
- 25.5 training hours delivered (excluding virtual academies and customized trainings)
Customized Trainings
- Southeast Nonprofit Housing: 2-day facilitated training (February 2025)
- Largo AJC: Two virtual trainings delivered (April and August 2025)
Community Growth and Membership Engagement
NAWDP’s community continued to grow in both size and depth of engagement, reflecting the value of shared learning and professional connection.
Membership
NAWDP’s community continued to grow in both size and depth of engagement, reflecting the value of shared learning and professional connection. NAWDP ended the June 30, 2025 membership cycle with a total of 5,322 members.
Expanded Partnerships
Joint membership opportunities strengthened collaboration across the workforce ecosystem:
- Oregon Employment and Training Association (OETA)
- Missouri Association for Workforce Development (MAWD)
New Benefits and Initiatives
- Membership Engagement Team launched to deepen member connection
- Lifetime Member Recognition Gifts introduced
- Group Training Subscription option added
Additional professional tools and resources released:
- Career Catalyst Assessment (September 2025)
- Transitioning Programs Community Guide (August 2025)
- NAWDP Professional Development Training Log (September 2025)
- Formal award of professional development hours into NAWDP Professional Development Training Log for conferences (12) and academies (8).
Workforce on the Mic (Podcast)
- 12 episodes released, amplifying practitioner voices and industry insights.
Communications
NAWDP expanded its role as a thought leader by sharing knowledge, amplifying member expertise, and creating platforms for workforce voices.
Key Communication Channels:
- Newsletter and digital communications reaching tens of thousands of subscribers.
- Blogs, podcasts, and video series showcasing field innovations.
- YouTube content expanding access to on-demand learning.
- Social media platforms, including LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram, drove engagement and awareness across the workforce development community.
2025 Highlights:
- 64 newsletters sent to more than 20,000 subscribers and a total of 802,472 individuals newsletters delivered.
- A total of 823 posts made across social platforms with 400,809 impressions,, and 3,923 new followers.
- A total of 41,978 views on YouTube in 2025 with an increase of 261 new sucscribers.
- How-to video series introduced to enhance the member experience.
- New “Workforce Insights In Action” blog introduced with 12 submissions published.
Volunteering
Volunteers played a vital role in advancing NAWDP’s mission and strengthening peer-driven leadership across the organization.
2025 Volunteer Impact
- 90 volunteers served across the Board of Directors, committees, task forces, and special initiatives.
Member-Led Contributions
- Event support and facilitation
- Content development through blogs, articles, and forums
- Industry surveys including:
- Affinity Program Interest Survey
- CWDP Impact Survey
- Committees and task forces:
- Certification Committee
- Advocacy Committee
- Membership Engagement Team
Volunteers contributed to developing standards, creating new resources, and mentoring emerging professionals — directly shaping the future of the workforce development field.
Outreach
Through partnerships, cross-sector collaboration, and resource sharing, NAWDP extended its reach to new audiences and strengthened connections across workforce ecosystems.
2025 Highlights:
- Presented 21 workshop or informational sessions for in-person conferences and virtual meetings.
- Thought leaders in four published articles and five partner organization podcasts.
- Engaged thousands of workforce development professionals by exhibiting at 16 workforce industry conferences, creating opportunities to build connections, foster collaboration, and introduce new members to NAWDP’s programs and professional development offerings.
Social Impact
NAWDP’s work extends beyond professional development — it elevates the workforce profession, advocates for systems improvement, and highlights the people driving meaningful change.
Highlighting Member Impact
NAWDP elevates the real-world impact of workforce development by spotlighting member stories that showcase how local professionals are driving meaningful change in their communities, transforming individual lives, and strengthening regional economies through innovative, people-centered solutions.
2025 Highlights:
- Workforce Awards: Three individuals, two programs, and two employers recognized for their contributions to the workforce industry.
- Member Stories: Twelve member success stories featured on NAWDP’s website, publications, and social media.
Advocacy
NAWDP continues to amplify the collective voice of workforce professionals to influence policy and strengthen workforce systems.
2025 Highlights:
- Signed on to five letters to congress for workforce legislation.
- Held Washington Updates session at the 41st NAWDP Annual Conference.
- Presented Workforce Advocacy in Action session at Raising the Bar and NINATEC conferences.
- Hosted Advocacy Breakouts during the NAWDP Annual Meeting.
Workforce Development Month:
- Founded by NAWDP, Workforce Development Month marked its 20th anniversary in 2025, celebrating the contributions of workforce professionals and raising awareness of the field’s vital role in the U.S. economy.
- 135 workforce development professionals recognized as Workforce Heroes
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