National Association of Workforce Boards
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| National Association of Workforce Boards | |
|---|---|
| Name | National Association of Workforce Boards |
| Abbreviation | NAWB |
| Formation | 1996 |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. |
| Type | Nonprofit membership association |
| Region served | United States |
National Association of Workforce Boards The National Association of Workforce Boards is a United States nonprofit membership association representing local and state workforce development boards, workforce investment entities, and workforce policy leaders. It convenes board members, labor market analysts, corporate executives, and policy makers to address workforce challenges in cities such as New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. The organization operates at the intersection of federal initiatives like the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and regional entities including the U.S. Department of Labor, the National Association of Counties, and the United States Conference of Mayors.
History
The association was formed in the mid-1990s amid reforms shaped by legislation such as the Job Training Partnership Act and later the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, and evolved through landmark events including the passage of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act in 2014. Early collaborators included leaders from the National Governors Association, the American Association of Community Colleges, and state labor agencies from California, Texas, and New York. Throughout the 2000s the association engaged with economic recovery efforts following the Great Recession and coordinated responses with organizations like National Skills Coalition, Brookings Institution, and the Economic Policy Institute. Its archives reflect convenings with corporate partners such as Walmart and GE as well as philanthropic support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Ford Foundation.
Mission and Activities
The association's mission centers on strengthening local workforce boards to connect jobseekers with employers across sectors including healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and information technology. In pursuing that mission it aligns with federal frameworks promoted by the U.S. Department of Labor and collaborates with stakeholders from the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, the National Association of State Workforce Agencies, and the Manufacturing Institute. Activities include producing policy briefs that reference labor reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, convening summits alongside organizations such as the Council of Economic Advisers, and offering governance resources used by boards in municipalities like Houston, Philadelphia, and Phoenix.
Governance and Membership
Governance follows a board and executive leadership model drawn from private sector executives, elected officials, and workforce practitioners similar to governance frameworks seen in the National Conference of State Legislatures and Local Initiatives Support Corporation. Members include local workforce development boards from metropolitan areas such as San Francisco Bay Area and Detroit, state workforce agencies from states like Florida and Pennsylvania, and associate members from corporations including Amazon and Microsoft. The association holds annual elections and hosts leadership programs in partnership with institutions like Harvard Kennedy School and Georgetown University.
Programs and Services
Programs include capacity-building workshops, certification offerings, and data tools that complement analytics produced by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Census Bureau. Services extend to technical assistance on procurement, performance measurement aligned with Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act indicators, and sector partnership facilitation modeled on initiatives seen in regions such as Silicon Valley and Raleigh–Durham. The association runs national conferences that attract speakers from McKinsey & Company, Accenture, and the Aspen Institute, and operates peer networks used by workforce leaders from counties like Cook County, Illinois and Los Angeles County.
Partnerships and Advocacy
Advocacy efforts include testimony before Congressional committees such as the House Committee on Education and Labor and collaboration with coalitions including the National Skills Coalition and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The association partners with educational institutions like the Community College System of New Jersey and research centers such as the Urban Institute and RAND Corporation to advance policy proposals. It also forges public–private partnerships with employers, workforce intermediaries, unions such as the AFL–CIO, and philanthropy networks like The Rockefeller Foundation to promote sector strategies in industries including cybersecurity, healthcare, and renewable energy.
Funding and Financial Structure
The association's funding model comprises membership dues, conference fees, grants from foundations such as the Annie E. Casey Foundation and federal grants from entities such as the Employment and Training Administration, and corporate sponsorships from firms including PwC and Deloitte. Financial oversight is conducted by an elected finance committee and external auditors comparable to practices at nonprofits like the National Council of Nonprofits and the Urban Land Institute. Budget allocations prioritize member services, research collaborations with the Institute for Research on Labor and Employment, and technical assistance to boards in jurisdictions like Kansas City and Minneapolis.