Jack and Nancy Dwyer Workforce Development Center, Inc. (“Dwyer Workforce Development” or “DWD”), a national healthcare workforce development nonprofit, today announces new strategic initiatives and goals for 2025. These include expanding its national footprint into new states – Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, and Kansas – as well as serving 4,500 people with healthcare training and job placement support and growing its job placement network beyond senior care to include hospitals. This announcement follows a milestone year in 2024 marked by record-breaking job placements and growth to further its mission and help alleviate the national healthcare workforce crisis.
The country continues to face a significant healthcare workforce shortage, with 99% of skilled nursing facilities citing unmet staffing needs. As a result, existing staff are facing immense pressure, with 97% of facilities requiring nurses to work overtime, leading to stress, burnout, and early retirement, according to the AHCA 2024 State of the Sector Report. DWD’s holistic model demonstrates how investments in workforce training, case management, and wraparound services can alleviate healthcare staffing shortages by empowering individuals who lack the opportunity to pursue and succeed in life-changing healthcare career paths.
“Dwyer Workforce Development is one of the only organizations tackling the healthcare workforce shortage with a truly comprehensive, person-centered approach,” said DWD CEO, Barb Clapp. “After a milestone year in 2024, what’s been even more energizing is the incredible support we’ve received from healthcare providers, local leaders, and donors who see the impact we are making and understand the need for us to further our mission. It’s inspiring to see how our model is not only transforming the lives of our Dwyer Scholars but also making a lasting impact on the broader communities we serve. Building on this incredible momentum, we’re excited to expand our reach this year.”
Highlights of DWD’s 2025 goals:
- Serve over 4,500 Scholars with healthcare job training and placement support. Placed Scholars will achieve an estimated $150 million in annual earnings.
- Expand geographic footprint and programs within states already located and in new states. DWD expanded into Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, and Kansas in early 2025, and will focus efforts on building the foundation of the program and partnerships within these states this year.
- Grow career services offerings for Dwyer Scholars. DWD will develop a Career Services Department to support career development awareness and upskilling through additional healthcare education and training opportunities for Dwyer Scholars.
- Expand job placement network beyond senior healthcare to include hospitals. DWD will expand its mission to serve hospitals and the community at large, in addition to its continued partnership with senior healthcare facilities.
Highlights of DWD’s 2024 record of success:
- Served 4,116 Dwyer Scholars across 299 training cohorts throughout Maryland, Texas, and Florida. These Scholars will earn an estimated $138 million in annual earnings. This number represents 151% year over year growth in Scholars served.
- Invested $5.1 million in comprehensive job training and support services to Dwyer Scholars. This was complemented by providing 5,600 hours of direct intervention case management services. Both efforts supported Dwyer Scholars’ ability to overcome barriers to job success.
- Opened new headquarters in Baltimore. Featuring 9,396 square feet of office space, the headquarters was designed to support DWD’s recent and future growth.
- Grew internal team. To support growth, DWD hired 17 new team members — a 94% increase in employees, year over year. New team members and roles include director of communications, director of operations, service navigator, community engagement coordinator, and more.
DWD’s model takes a holistic, individualized approach to long-term stability focused on career growth and economic improvement. DWD provides CNA and GNA training and job placement support to underserved individuals and need-based wraparound services — including financial support for housing, childcare, and transportation — to eliminate barriers to success. Program participants, known as Dwyer Scholars, are paired with dedicated case managers who determine the wraparound services needed and offer ongoing mentorship, guiding them through both professional and personal challenges while helping them navigate a career path in healthcare. As Scholars achieve key milestones, they become eligible for continued training and educational opportunities, creating pathways to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Registered Nurses (RNs), and advance into additional roles in healthcare.
Since DWD’s inception in 2021, the nonprofit has served over 6,000 Dwyer Scholars with healthcare career training and comprehensive support, helping them launch successful careers in healthcare.
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About Dwyer Workforce Development (www.dwyerworkforcedev.org)
Dwyer Workforce Development is a unique 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to provide comprehensive support to individuals who lack opportunity and aspire to pursue a career in the healthcare industry, alleviate a severe healthcare workforce shortage, and improve the lives of seniors and the community at large. Dwyer Workforce Development provides program participants – Dwyer Scholars – Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training, job placement support in healthcare facilities, need-based wraparound services, and person-centered case management to foster successful outcomes. Founded by businessman and entrepreneur, Jack Dwyer and his family, in 2021, DWD’s unique model is redefining what it means to give back by creating career opportunities for those who lack opportunity, reducing healthcare staff shortages, and improving patient care. Handpicked by Jack Dwyer to lead the organization, Barb Clapp serves as CEO, bringing visionary leadership and a deep commitment to equity and impact. Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, DWD has grown exponentially since inception with a national footprint encompassing Maryland, Texas, Florida, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. For more information, visit www.dwyerworkforcedev.org and follow DWD on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.