Celebrating the People, Programs, and Partnerships Strengthening America’s Workforce
Every September, workforce professionals, organizations, partners, and communities across the country celebrate National Workforce Development Month.
Created by the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) in 2005, Workforce Development Month raises awareness of the workforce development field and recognizes the professionals, programs, and partnerships that connect people with meaningful careers, help businesses develop talent, and strengthen communities.
Celebrate the profession. Recognize the people. Share the impact.
What is National Workforce Development Month?
Workforce Development Month is a national celebration held each September to recognize workforce development professionals and raise awareness of the impact workforce development has on individuals, businesses, communities, and the U.S. economy.
Every day, workforce professionals help people develop skills, overcome barriers, connect to careers, and advance economically. At the same time, they help businesses find and develop talent, build stronger talent pipelines, and respond to changing workforce needs.
Workforce Development Month provides an opportunity to bring greater visibility to this work and demonstrate why a strong workforce development system matters.
Why National Workforce Development Month Matters
Throughout September, workforce organizations and partners are encouraged to:
- Celebrate workforce development professionals and their contributions
- Share participant, employer, program, and community success stories
- Demonstrate the impact of workforce programs and investments
- Engage employers, education partners, elected officials, and community leaders
- Advocate for workforce development and the people it serves
- Raise awareness of workforce development careers and the profession
When the workforce development community tells its story together, we help more people understand the essential role this work plays in creating opportunity and strengthening the economy.
Our History
The National Association of Workforce Development Professionals created Workforce Development Month in 2005 to raise awareness about the importance of workforce development to a growing national economy.
Since then, Workforce Development Month has grown into an annual opportunity for workforce organizations across the country to celebrate their professionals, showcase successful programs and partnerships, engage their communities, and demonstrate the impact of workforce development.
In 2025, NAWDP celebrated the 20th anniversary of Workforce Development Month, marking two decades of elevating the workforce development profession.
Today, that work continues as workforce professionals respond to evolving employer needs, changing technologies, new career pathways, and the needs of workers and communities across the country.
Resources to Help You Get Involved
Workforce Development Month is your opportunity to make workforce development more visible in your community.
Whether you are planning a month-long campaign or looking for a few simple ways to participate, NAWDP provides resources to help you celebrate your team, showcase your impact, engage your community, and advocate for workforce development.
Workforce Development Month Toolkit
Find ideas and resources to help your organization plan and promote Workforce Development Month activities.
Logos & Graphics
Show your support for Workforce Development Month with graphics you can use on social media, websites, newsletters, presentations, and other communications.
Celebrate Our Workforce Heroes
NAWDP recognizes annually workforce professionals across the country for their work in their local communities.
Share Your Workforce Development Story
Workforce development creates impact every day. Workforce Development Month is an opportunity to make that impact visible.
Tell us about the job seeker who launched a new career, the employer that found the talent needed to grow, the partnership that solved a community challenge, or the innovative program creating new pathways to opportunity.
We want to hear about:
- Participant success stories
- Employer partnerships
- Innovative workforce programs
- Apprenticeship and career pathway successes
- Youth workforce initiatives
- Business services successes
- Community partnerships
- Programs addressing barriers to employment
- Measurable workforce outcomes
Tell the Story Behind the Numbers
Strong workforce stories combine people and impact.
When sharing your story, tell us who was served, what challenge existed, what your program or partnership did, and what changed as a result.
Whenever possible, include outcomes such as people served, credentials earned, employment placements, wage gains, businesses assisted, workers trained, career advancement, or other measurable results.
Your story can help demonstrate the value of workforce development, inspire other professionals, strengthen advocacy, and show decision-makers what investments in workforce development make possible.