What National Association of Workforce Boards does

The National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit membership association founded in 1979 and headquartered at 1155 15th Street NW, Suite 725, Washington, D.C. NAWB represents and serves over 570 local workforce development boards across the United States and its territories, which collectively oversee approximately 2,300 American Job Centers (AJCs). The organization's primary mission is to champion the mission of workforce development boards through federal policy advocacy on Capitol Hill, professional development, peer learning, and strategic initiatives focused on apprenticeships, AI adoption, and economic mobility.

NAWB's product surface is organized around three pillars: (1) advocacy resources including template letters, legislative toolkits, coalitions (Campaign to Invest in America's Workforce, Committee for Education Funding), and direct Capitol Hill engagement through the annual Workforce Impact Summit; (2) professional development offerings including the Executive Boot Camp ($2,150 per participant, delivered with California Workforce Association), Town Halls, webinars, Coffee and Conversations peer sessions, and Public Policy PowerUp calls; and (3) strategic initiatives including the Registered Apprenticeship Resource Hub, four DOL Apprenticeship Building America grant-funded apprenticeship programs (Care Economy, Electric Vehicle, Clean Energy, Supply Chain Automation), the Generative AI for Workforce training program delivered in partnership with Microsoft (using Microsoft Copilot), and the previously launched Workforce Compass career navigation platform built with FutureFit AI using machine learning over 350 million global talent profiles.

The organization generates revenue through three primary streams: recurring membership dues from workforce boards and professionals, fee-for-service professional development programs, and conference/event revenue from the annual Forum conference and Workforce Impact Summit. NAWB also derives indirect value from DOL grants routed through partner organizations (FHI 360, AACC, Manhattan Strategy Group, IREC) and supplemental support from foundations such as the Lumina Foundation. Andrew Bercich was appointed CEO in January 2026, bringing prior leadership experience at Amazon, IBM, Comcast, and Charles Schwab, and Al Searles serves as Chair of the Board of Directors.

Name

National Association of Workforce Boards

Legal name

National Association of Workforce Boards

Website

https://nawb.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NAWB is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit membership association representing over 570 U.S. workforce development boards, providing federal advocacy, professional development programs, and strategic initiatives around apprenticeships and AI training.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

S Central Washington Co

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: NAWB generates revenue through membership fees from workforce development boards and professionals across the U.S. The organization offers different membership tiers with benefits including access to the member portal, professional development resources, advocacy tools, and exclusive events.
2. Professional Development Programs: The Executive Boot Camp program charges $2,150 per participant, with discounts available for members. Additional training modules and professional development offerings generate fee-for-service revenue.
3. Conference and Event Revenue: NAWB's annual Forum conference (Forum 2026 in Las Vegas) and the Workforce Impact Summit generate revenue through registration fees, sponsorship opportunities, and associated event programming including pre-conference and post-conference sessions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

NAWB is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit membership association that champions the mission of over 570 workforce development boards across the U.S. and its territories. It provides federal policy advocacy on Capitol Hill, professional development programs (such as the Executive Boot Camp at $2,150 per participant), annual conferences (Forum and Workforce Impact Summit), peer learning events, advocacy toolkits, and strategic initiatives including registered apprenticeship programs and AI training partnerships with Microsoft.

Product overview

NAWB operates as a membership-based advocacy organization supporting over 570 workforce development boards across the U.S. Its offerings include professional development programs (Executive Boot Camp, Town Halls, Webinars, Coffee and Conversations, Public Policy PowerUp), advocacy resources and templates, career and RFP posting centers, and events (Forum annual conference, Workforce Impact Summit). Strategic initiatives include Registered Apprenticeship Resource Hub and related apprenticeship programs (Supply Chain Automation Hub, Care Economy RAPs, EV apprenticeships, ACE Network), all supported by a Microsoft partnership for AI training. NAWB previously offered Workforce Compass career navigation platform in partnership with FutureFit AI.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Registered Apprenticeship Resource Hub: Comprehensive resource center providing practical tools, guides, and real-world examples for workforce boards navigating registered apprenticeship programs.
• Generative AI for Workforce with Microsoft
• Workforce Compass

Products and services

• NAWB Executive Boot Camp Multi-module leadership development program for workforce board executives combining in-person and virtual sessions covering personal development, organizational leadership, systemic leadership, and a workforce board simulation, plus a capstone project. Priced at $2,150 per participant with member discounts.
• NAWB Career Center Job posting and career resource platform connecting job seekers with workforce development positions. Free for NAWB members to post job openings (listings active for 60 days); nominal fee for non-members.
• RFP Announcement Center Platform exclusive to NAWB member organizations for posting Requests for Proposals related to workforce development projects and services.
• Forum Annual Conference NAWB's flagship annual convening for workforce development professionals featuring interactive sessions, pre-conference and post-conference workshops, federal policy engagement, and networking opportunities with registration fees and sponsorship opportunities.
• Workforce Impact Summit Annual policy conference in Washington, D.C. featuring federal agency roundtables, legislative briefings, advocacy training, and Capitol Hill visits.
• Generative AI for Workforce with Microsoft Three free AI training courses developed in partnership with Microsoft using Microsoft Copilot, covering AI applications for career coaches, job seekers, and workforce agency administrators to build practical AI skills.
• Registered Apprenticeship Resource Hub Online resource hub providing practical tools, guides, real-world examples, and trusted references for workforce boards navigating registered apprenticeships, including sections on foundations, WIOA alignment, implementation, innovative models, and employer engagement.
• Town Halls Regularly-scheduled virtual sessions featuring subject matter experts and peers exploring regulatory questions, legislation, and issues facing Workforce Boards across the country.
• Public Policy PowerUp Monthly policy calls for NAWB members providing updates on pressing issues on Capitol Hill, federal funding, and tools for effective advocacy.
• Supply Chain Automation (SCA) Hub Partnership with Manhattan Strategy Group funded through DOL grant to help employers build customized training programs through Registered Apprenticeship Programs in supply chain automation, logistics, transportation, and warehousing.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 70% of individuals receiving WIOA career and training services became employed
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supportive.

• MicrosoftcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026NAWB launched a strategic partnership with Microsoft to provide Generative AI training for workforce board administrators, career coaches, and job seekers. The partnership offers free online courses through Microsoft Learn including Generative AI for Career Coaches, Generative AI for Career Growth and Job Search, and Generative AI for Workforce Agency Administrators.
• California Workforce Association (CWA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2024NAWB partnered with the California Workforce Association to deliver the 2024 Executive Boot Camp program. The collaboration combines NAWB's national workforce board network with CWA's regional expertise to provide comprehensive leadership development for workforce professionals.
• FHI 360 / National Institute for Work and LearningcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAWB partnered with FHI 360's National Institute for Work and Learning on a Registered Apprenticeship project focused on the care economy, funded by a DOL Apprenticeship Building America (ABA2) grant. The initiative expanded Registered Apprenticeship Programs including Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship, Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Counselor, Community Health Worker, and Peer Support Specialist programs.
• American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAWB partnered with AACC on an Apprenticeship Building America initiative to strengthen Registered Apprenticeships in the electric vehicle (EV) mobility sector. The partnership brings together community colleges, workforce boards, employers, and economic development offices to improve workforce training strategies aligned with regional labor market needs.
• Manhattan Strategy Group (MSG)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAWB served as a partner with the Manhattan Strategy Group to operate the Supply Chain Automation (SCA) Hub, funded through a U.S. Department of Labor grant. The Hub helps employers build customized training programs through Registered Apprenticeship Programs to strengthen supply chain talent pipelines.
• Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAWB served as a partner to IREC's Apprenticeships in Clean Energy (ACE) Network, a national coalition working to expand Registered Apprenticeship opportunities within the clean energy sector.
• FutureFit AImajorTechnology or IntegrationNAWB launched Workforce Compass, an innovative career navigation and learning platform developed in partnership with FutureFit AI. The platform uses over 350 million global talent profiles, live labor market information, and machine learning algorithms to identify skills and recommend career pathways.
• Lumina FoundationsupportiveGTM or Marketing PartnerLumina Foundation provided generous support enabling NAWB to offer the 'Turning Data into Action: Insights That Drive Workforce Board Impact' pre-conference session at Forum 2026 at no cost to members.
• U.S. Department of LaborcoreOthersNAWB collaborates extensively with the U.S. Department of Labor on workforce development initiatives including Registered Apprenticeship programs, the Supply Chain Automation Hub, and Apprenticeship Building America grants.
• U.S. Department of EducationcoreOthersNAWB works with the Department of Education on workforce development policy and programs including implementation of the Workforce Pell Grant program.
• Campaign to Invest in America's WorkforcesupportiveGTM or Marketing PartnerNAWB works in collaboration with the Campaign to Invest in America's Workforce, a national coalition advocating for policies that advance workforce development.
• Committee for Education FundingsupportiveGTM or Marketing PartnerNAWB collaborates with the Committee for Education Funding on advocacy efforts for workforce and education funding.
• Data Quality CampaignsupportiveGTM or Marketing PartnerNAWB partners with the Data Quality Campaign on data-driven advocacy and policy efforts.
• National Association of Counties (NACo)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAWB partnered with NACo to develop a Policy Guidance and Toolkit to help local leaders and workforce boards respond to governor-led proposals to consolidate local workforce boards.
• U.S. Conference of MayorsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNAWB partnered with the U.S. Conference of Mayors on policy guidance and advocacy resources for workforce system consolidation.
• National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3)supportiveStrategic or Co-development PartnerNC3 moderated a Forum 2026 panel on AI and skilled trades transformation, exploring how workforce practitioners and educators must modernize professional development training.
• WalmartsupportiveGTM or Marketing PartnerWalmart is a sponsor and partner in Forum 2026's post-conference session focused on advancing skills-based talent strategies.

Scale indicators6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM): The largest professional membership association for HR practitioners, with comparable revenue model (membership dues, conferences, professional development) and advocacy presence on Capitol Hill. Comparable as a benchmark for association scale and event-driven revenue, though SHRM serves corporate HR rather than public workforce boards.
• American Society of Association Executives (ASAE): The umbrella professional association for the association management industry. Comparable as an analogous membership-association operating model (dues, conferences, credentialing) and as an industry peer rather than direct competitor in the workforce vertical.
• National Council of Nonprofits: National network of state and regional nonprofit associations providing advocacy, capacity building, and resources to nonprofit members. Comparable as a parallel membership association model serving mission-driven organizations with advocacy on Capitol Hill.
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation: The workforce and talent development arm of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, operating programs like the Talent Pipeline Management initiative. Comparable as a workforce-focused initiative operator with employer sponsorship, federal partnerships, and apprenticeship promotion.

Direct peers

• Jobs for the Future (JFF): National nonprofit focused on workforce readiness, economic mobility, and apprenticeship expansion. Directly comparable as a workforce-focused organization running apprenticeship and training initiatives with employer partnerships across similar sectors (care economy, clean energy, advanced manufacturing).
• National Skills Coalition: Advocacy organization focused on skills training and workforce policy at the federal and state level. Directly comparable as a workforce-focused advocacy and policy organization with overlapping member segments and federal funding advocacy priorities.
• National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA): The state-level counterpart to NAWB, representing state workforce agencies that administer federal workforce programs. Highly comparable as a parallel membership association operating in the same public workforce system with overlapping advocacy and professional development missions.

Emerging players

• Workforce Innovation Technical Assistance Center (WINTAC): Technical assistance provider for the public workforce system serving workforce boards, state agencies, and American Job Centers. Comparable as a capacity-building and training resource for the same member base NAWB serves.

Regional players

• National Governors Association (NGA): Bipartisan association of U.S. governors that influences state-level workforce policy and system design. Comparable as a policy shaper on workforce system structure, including the very consolidation risk NAWB is defending against.
• National Association of Counties (NACo): Membership association representing county governments that frequently co-administer workforce programs with local boards. An active NAWB partner, comparable as an adjacent government-association peer overlapping on workforce system advocacy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WorkforceInvest
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@WorkforceBoards
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-association-of-workforce-boards
• Instagraminstagram.com/workforceboards

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about National Association of Workforce Boards