[West Plains, MO] February 23, 2026 — The National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) has published NAWDP Impact – 2025, which outlines NAWDP’s national progress in professional certification, leadership development, training access, and industry advocacy.
“The milestones captured in this report reflect a profession that continues to advance. As certification grows and leadership expands, workforce development is strengthening its standards, its voice, and its impact nationwide.”
– Melissa Robbins, NAWDP CEO
The report provides data demonstrating growth in standards of practice, practitioner engagement, and system-level leadership at a time when workforce systems are navigating economic volatility, technological disruption, and policy evolution.
Strengthening Standards Across Workforce Systems
In 2025, 747 workforce professionals earned certification, bringing the total number of Certified Workforce Development Professionals (CWDPs) to 1,579 nationwide. Additionally, 48 Business Services Endorsements were awarded, and 20 leaders enrolled in the inaugural NAWDP Leadership Academy which leads to earning the inaugural Certified Workforce Development Leader (CWDL).
As workforce systems face increasing accountability and performance expectations, professional certification plays a critical role in establishing consistent competencies, reinforcing credibility with employers and policymakers, and improving service delivery outcomes.
Leadership-focused credentials, such as the newly launched CWDL, signal a growing emphasis on executive-level strategy and systems thinking within the profession.
Expanding Access to Professional Development
The 2025 report highlights 3,821 digital learning registrations and 25.5 hours of professional training delivered, alongside the introduction of new tools including the Career Catalyst Assessment, Program Transition Community Guide, and New Workers Toolkit.
These resources reflect the field’s need for agile, applied learning that supports practitioners as they address emerging priorities such as AI integration, employer engagement strategies, funding transitions, and cross-system collaboration.
In a rapidly evolving labor market, ongoing professional development is essential to maintaining system responsiveness and effectiveness.
Building a National Professional Community
As of June 30, 2025, NAWDP membership grew to 5,322 professionals nationwide, supported by 90 volunteers serving across governance, certification, advocacy, and engagement initiatives.
The growth of a connected professional network strengthens peer learning, supports the development of shared standards, and fosters collaboration across local, state, and national workforce systems.
Elevating the Workforce Voice in Policy Conversations
The report also outlines NAWDP’s continued efforts to provide legislative and regulatory updates, support member advocacy engagement, and amplify practitioner perspectives in national workforce policy discussions.
2025 marked the 20th anniversary of Workforce Development Month, an initiative founded by NAWDP to raise awareness of the profession’s role in the U.S. economic system. The milestone underscores two decades of advocacy and public recognition of workforce professionals as essential economic partners.
A Profession Positioned for the Future
The 2025 NAWDP Impact reflects measurable progress in strengthening professional standards, expanding leadership development, and elevating the voice of workforce practitioners nationwide. As the field continues to adapt to labor market shifts and policy changes, investments in professionalization and collaboration remain central to long-term system effectiveness.
For the full 2025 NAWDP Impact Report, visit:
https://www.nawdp.org/about-nawdp/nawdp-impact/
