Honolulu, HI, July 30, 2025 — At a time when America’s workforce faces critical shortages in skilled trades in essential industries, a new nationwide observance is urging all sectors to take action. September 17, 2025, will mark the first-ever National Workforce Development Day, a day of recognition and action dedicated to strengthening the talent pipeline that powers American prosperity.
“This is about building the future,” said Nabeel Mahmood, Co-Founder of the Nomad Futurist Foundation. “If we want to close the workforce gap, we need to spark curiosity, provide access, and inspire purpose from an early age. National Workforce Development Day is a call to all of us: industry, education, and community leaders, to step up and invest in human potential.”
Created and led by nonprofit workforce development organization PATHIRED, National Workforce Development Day highlights the urgency of investing in the next generation of workers, from early education through career advancement and leadership development.
The day also amplifies the momentum of Workforce Development Month, underscoring the need for coordinated efforts to meet growing demands for skilled talent.
“This is more than another celebration day on the calendar,” explained Daisy Saulls, PATHIRED President, National Workforce Development Day Founder, and proud Nomad Futurist Foundation Ambassador. “It’s a movement to highlight the critical role of workforce development in sustaining innovation, economic growth, and human flourishing.
“Industries like manufacturing, construction, digital infrastructure, and the skilled trades have a high demand for talent. That gap hurts employers, workers, and communities alike.”
The need for collaborative workforce development has never been more urgent. According to ManPower Group, 75% of U.S. employers already face talent shortages, the highest level in 17 years, and that gap is projected to widen.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Census Bureau projects that by 2030, one in five Americans will be of retirement age, thereby shrinking the working-age population and accelerating the loss of institutional knowledge.
“Youth disconnection is also at a record high,” Saulls noted. “Stats from 2024 show that more than 4 million young Americans ages 16–24 are neither in school nor working, limiting their potential and our collective future.”
According to Saulls, who has dedicated her career to building ecosystems for workforce success, investing in career pathways and professional development is essential to America’s long-term prosperity.
“Our goal is to bring together a coalition of partners from across the country, including businesses, educators, nonprofits, government agencies, and community leaders, who have programs and resources that promote career readiness,” she said. “Together, we can celebrate the contributions of our workforce while empowering everyone to pursue fulfilling careers.”
Locally, the Nomad Futurist Foundation is proud to support National Workforce Development Day by partnering with schools, training providers, and data center operators to host immersive tours and career conversations. These experiences offer students and educators direct access to digital infrastructure environments, bridging classroom learning with real-world opportunities.
“No matter your sector, this is your chance to invest in the lifeblood of community prosperity,” Saulls said. “We are excited to see communities large and small step up to help build a resilient and inclusive workforce.
She added: “Workforce development is everyone’s responsibility. Whether you’re a CEO, an educator, a policymaker, or a neighbor, you can play a part in shaping a future where all Americans have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.”
To learn more about National Workforce Development Day, click here.
To learn more aobut the Nomad Futurist Foundation, visit here.
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About National Workforce Development Day
National Workforce Development Day, held annually on September 17, is dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the individuals, organizations, and initiatives driving workforce development across the United States. Powered by PATHIRED, the day serves as a platform to promote collaboration, share best practices, raise awareness about available resources, and advocate for programs that prepare workers for success in a dynamic economy.
About PATHIRED
PATHIRED is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to building stronger communities through strategic workforce development, education, and economic growth initiatives. Learn more at pathired.org.
About Nomad Futurist
The Nomad Futurist Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established to demystify the world of digital infrastructure and the related technologies that impact every aspect of our daily lives. Our primary focus is to empower and inspire younger generations through exposure to the underlying technologies that power our digital world and cultivate the next generation of industry leaders. Through the contributions of our supporters, we are launching global programs in partnership with a range of education providers, NGOs and other nonprofit organizations committed to educating children in underprivileged communities, promoting diversity and inclusion, and opening up opportunities for growth and new career paths.
- To learn more about the Nomad Futurist Foundation, please visit: http://nomadfuturist.org/.
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