Virginia Beach, Virginia will host the 41st Annual Conference of the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) from May 5–7, 2025, bringing together over 1,500 workforce development professionals from across the United States and abroad. This major event provides a unique platform for learning, collaboration, and strategic connection—one that a South Australian leader is tapping into to strengthen international ties and shared approaches to workforce challenges.
Among the international presenters is Wendy Perry, MD at Workforce BluePrint, from South Australia and Australia more broadly. Their presence marks a significant step in expanding global partnerships in strategic workforce planning and development, as the world grapples with shared challenges like labour shortages, low unemployment, changing industry demands, and the increasing competition for talent.
A Meeting of Minds: USA and Australia
The NAWDP Conference provides a key opportunity to align the efforts of U.S. and Australian workforce leaders. With presentations, roundtables, and networking events designed for career coaches, case managers, business services reps, and program managers, the event highlights practical solutions and forward-thinking strategies across the workforce ecosystem.
One of the core sessions presented from an international perspective will explore the similarities between the Australian and American labour markets, applying strategic foresight to map how we build resilient and future-ready workforces. Sharing insights from both nations—such as the evolution of training systems, economic development priorities, and industry engagement—offers mutual learning with potential for joint solutions.
As part of the broader visit to the United States, Wendy is planning engagements with key workforce development leaders, including the State Workforce Development Boards of Maryland and California, as well as meetings in Washington, DC with Brad Turner-Little, President and CEO of the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB). These conversations will explore policy alignment, partnership opportunities, and approaches to high-demand sectors like health care, construction, green energy, and digital technology.
State-Level Connections: Maryland and California
The Maryland Governor’s Workforce Development Board and California Workforce Development Board are at the forefront of innovation in skills policy, inclusive job creation, and regional economic resilience. Engaging with these Boards will provide the opportunity to explore how South Australia and these U.S. states can collaborate on shared economic and labour force priorities, while also sharing practical workforce development models that have led to strong employment outcomes.
Maryland’s Board has a clear focus on aligning education and training systems with employer needs, and California has long led the way in building equity-driven, sustainable workforce strategies—two areas of mutual interest for South Australia as it strengthens regional and skills-based initiatives across industries.
Shared Strategic Goals and Government-to-Government Collaboration
This visit also builds on the foundation laid by recent engagements between the South Australian Government and the United States, such as Premier Peter Malinauskas’s U.S. trade and workforce mission in 2024. That visit focused on opportunities under the AUKUS agreement, future jobs in defence industries, and training pipelines in both countries, and included tours of American shipyards and high-level meetings to boost South Australia’s global competitiveness.
In early 2025, Premier Malinauskas also announced direct flights between South Australia and the U.S., a move set to enhance business, investment, and education linkages. These developments underpin the broader strategy to make South Australia a globally connected hub for talent, training, and innovation.
A Platform for Ongoing Collaboration
NAWDP’s annual conference doesn’t just offer presentations—it opens doors to collaborative pilots, peer learning, and even international workforce development exchanges. From competency-based education models to inclusive job design and workforce forecasting using generative AI, the conference sessions reflect emerging trends that South Australia is also exploring in partnership with local and national stakeholders.
The presence of Australian thought leaders, combined with scheduled U.S. engagements, means that the 2025 conference could be the springboard for new global partnerships, shared initiatives, and two-way learning that benefits both South Australia and workforce systems across the United States.
For more about the NAWDP Conference, visit: https://www.nawdp.org/page/AnnualConference2025
If you would like to meet with Wendy Perry whilst she is in the USA, please send an email to wendy@workforceblueprint.com.au, thank you.