The NAWDP Youth Symposium schedule is organized around seven learning tracks, each designed to address the priorities and challenges you face every day in your work with young people. Whether you’re new to youth workforce development or a seasoned professional, these tracks make it easy to find sessions that align with your goals and build an experience that’s right for you. Explore the tracks below.
Learning Tracks
- ENGAGE: Youth Voice, Outreach, Retention & Belonging
Description: Center youth perspectives while exploring effective outreach, engagement, and retention strategies that help young people feel heard, valued, connected, and invested in their success. - EMPOWER: Career Pathways, Career Coaching & Workforce Readiness
Description: Equip youth with the skills, guidance, experiences, and opportunities needed to successfully navigate career pathways and thrive in education, training, and employment. - SUPPORT: Mental Health, Wellness & Resilience
Description: Strengthen practices that promote mental health, resilience, and holistic well-being for both youth and staff. - CONNECT: Partnerships, Systems & Community Impact
Description: Build stronger collaborations among workforce education, community, employer, and family partners to improve youth outcomes. - ADVANCE: AI, Technology & Emerging Trends
Description: Explore how artificial intelligence, technology, and emerging trends are transforming the way we prepare, engage, and support the next generation. - INNOVATE: Innovative Programs & Partnerships
Description: Discover proven strategies, creative partnerships, and innovative programs that are driving positive outcomes for youth and communities. - GENERAL WORKFORCE TOPICS
Description: These sessions do not fall under any of the learning tracks above, but are relevant to current workforce trends and the professional development needs of the workforce community.
Schedule at a Glance
NAWDP has released a tentative schedule-at-a-glance which gives a full general overview of the event.
Workshop Session RFP
A Request for Proposals (RFP) for workshop session presenters is open through July 19, 2026. Workshops should apply to one of the learning tracks listed above.