As workforce training programs continue to evolve, transitions are becoming a pivotal part of the journey—not just for youth participants, but also for the professionals who guide them. To support workforce professionals navigating these moments of change, the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) is proud to release two new resources: the Program Transition Community Guide and the Community Guide Transition Matrix.

These tools were created in connection with NAWDP’s June 2025 webinar, Navigating Program Transitions: A Listening Session for Workforce Professionals and Youth Advocates, which brought together practitioners and thought leaders from across the workforce development landscape. The session offered valuable insight into how organizations are helping youth and customers move forward with stability, confidence, and community support during program shifts or closures.

The featured speakers included:

  • Lindsay Cale, Center Director at Ottumwa Job Corps, who shared how her team quickly mobilized local partners to host a resource job fair for transitioning participants.
  • Jessica Issoufou, Deputy Director at WorkSource Montgomery, who discussed the launch of the Federal Workforce Career Center—an initiative supporting displaced federal employees with tailored career transition services.

Whether you’re a youth advocate, educator, case manager, or system leader, these tools can help you strengthen your response to program changes in your community. The Program Transition Community Guide offers a roadmap for preparing and coordinating transitions, while the Transition Matrix provides an at-a-glance framework for evaluating available services and identifying potential gaps.

We encourage all workforce professionals to:

  • Watch the webinar recording to hear real-world transition strategies from the field.
  • Download and explore the tools to spark local collaboration and proactive planning.
  • Use the Community Guide and Matrix as conversation starters with partners, funders, and leadership to improve responsiveness and equity in program transitions.

Together, we can co-create a more inclusive, youth-centered workforce system that adapts with agility—and compassion.