As the U.S. healthcare system continues to face a severe workforce shortage, Jack and Nancy Dwyer Workforce Development Center, Inc. (DWD), a national healthcare workforce development nonprofit, today announced plans to expand into nine additional states in 2026—accelerating its mission to train and place the next generation of healthcare professionals while advancing its goal of serving 100,000 Dwyer Scholars by 2030. This national scaling follows a record-breaking year of growth and impact in 2025, during which DWD served 4,776 new Scholars, bringing its total impact to more than 11,000 Scholars served since September 2022.
DWD will expand into North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, Illinois, Ohio, Alabama, Georgia, New Jersey, and Wisconsin this year, further extending its footprint into communities facing critical healthcare workforce shortages. This growth follows DWD’s 2025 expansion into Kansas, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Upstate New York, alongside its presence in Maryland, Texas, and Florida.
This expansion comes as healthcare has become the primary driver of U.S. employment growth, with nearly 2 million new jobs projected over the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics—further widening the gap between demand for workers and available talent. However, the industry remains hindered by an inability to recruit enough workers into these roles and high turnover among those already in the field.
DWD addresses this crisis through its one-of-a-kind model that provides free Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training alongside person-centered case management, wraparound services—including financial support for transportation, childcare, and housing —along with job placement support to ensure graduates not only fill these roles, but remain in the workforce long term. Beyond initial placement, DWD helps Scholars advance into LPN, RN, and other in-demand roles—building a pipeline of talent to fill critical gaps across the healthcare system.
“The healthcare workforce shortage is one of the most urgent challenges facing our country, and it requires solutions that operate at scale. 2025 was a milestone year for DWD, demonstrating what’s possible when you connect people to opportunity and remove the barriers holding them back,” said Barb Clapp, CEO of Dwyer Workforce Development. “We find people with the drive, remove barriers, and prepare them for in-demand healthcare roles. As we expand into new states, we’re scaling our model to reach more communities in need. Reaching 100,000 Scholars by 2030 isn’t just a goal—it’s 100,000 people gaining stability and 100,000 critical roles filled. That’s what a real solution looks like.”
Highlights of DWD’s 2025 growth and impact include:
- 4,776 Scholars served across 435 training cohorts (21% year-over-year growth), who will earn an estimated more than $200 million in annual earnings.
- $10.56 million invested in job training and wraparound support services, complemented by 25,250 hours of case management and program navigation services.
- Expansion into four additional states: Kansas, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Upstate New York, expanding DWD’s footprint to seven states, including Maryland, Texas, and Florida.
- Growth of Career Services Department to support career development awareness and upskilling through additional healthcare education and training opportunities.
- 129 new partnerships with healthcare employers and community organizations.
- Internal team growth, with addition of chief growth officer to expand operational processes and systems that allow programs, teams, and impact to scale sustainably.
- Opening of DWD Opportunity Hub, a 50-seat training center located within DWD’s Baltimore HQ.
As DWD expands nationwide in 2026, the organization aims to serve more than 7,500 Scholars in the coming year, continuing to scale a proven model that connects individuals who lack opportunity to meaningful careers while helping address critical workforce shortages across the healthcare system.
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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, Delaware, and upstate New York. For more information, visit www.dwyerworkforcedev.org and follow DWD on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.