Second Chance Act Post-Release Rapid Employment Program

Funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, the Second Chance Act Post-Release Rapid Employment Program (PREP) used evidence-based trainings to prepare individuals for employment after leaving incarceration in North Carolina through a partnership between FHI 360’s National Institute for Work and Learning, Erika’s Closet, and the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office.

Read the full fact sheet to learn more!

2025 NIWL Annual Report

Our work in 2025 reflects our commitment to meeting people where they are and building systems that support long-term economic mobility. Whether developing registered apprenticeships, working with corporate partners to build career pathways, supporting individuals returning from incarceration, or helping families navigate career exploration and advancement, NIWL focused on connecting learning to opportunity, and opportunity to stability.

Read NIWL’s 2025 Annual Report to learn more about our commitment to strengthening workforce systems that work for individuals, families, and communities.

Community Health Worker Apprenticeship

Developed and implemented in partnership with the Public Works Alliance and Westcoast Children’s Clinic, the Community Health Worker (CHW) Apprenticeship offers a comprehensive career path that ensures a high standard of training in both practical experience and classroom learning. Through the apprenticeship, participants are better able to serve as health advocates for their communities. 

Read the full fact sheet to learn more!

Learning and Workforce Development Overview

NIWL’s programs serve youth and young adults in career exploration, workforce development, and education to career transitions – all to serve the greater workforce environment in a way that benefits workers, learners, and employers. Read the full overview to learn more.

Employer Engagement Toolkit

Coming Soon!

Building and maintaining strong employer partnerships is essential for organizations seeking to match talented job seekers with the right opportunities. Employers are not just looking for job candidates; they are seeking long-term, strategic partners who can provide ongoing workforce solutions that align with their business goals. This toolkit is designed to equip workforce development staff with the strategies and insights needed to engage effectively with employers, from the initial prospecting stages to sustaining long-term relationships. Key areas explored:

  • Leveraging LMI for Employer Partnerships
  • Prospecting and Researching Potential Employer Partners
  • Crafting a Communication Strategy
  • Nurturing and Growing Employer Partnerships
  • Employer Incentives and Business Benefits
  • Deepening Employer Relationships and Addressing Challenges
  • Ongoing Partnership and Employer Success

Community-Driven TOC Tool

This tool for Facilitators can be used to support community engagement and respect for local norms in evaluation planning and theory of change development. Click the resource to access the full tool.

Compass Rose Outcome Indicators Overview

FHI 360’s National Institute for Work and Learning (NIWL) provides support to education providers, workforce trainers, and their local partners to improve education and employment outcomes for youth aged 18-24 involved with the criminal legal system. Using a statistical lens, this document details the impact of NIWL’s five U.S. Department of Labor-funded Compass Rose Collaborative re-entry programs operating between 2017 and 2024.

FHI 360 Volunteer Training Catalog

FHI 360’s National Institute for Work and Learning (NIWL) provides a variety of resources and learning opportunities, including facilitated trainings and workshops, self-paced e-Modules, and toolkits, to help first-time volunteers—as well as those who would like a refresher—prepare for, engage with, and inspire youths. Read this catalog to learn more.

Second chances: Career coaching leads to fresh starts in Kentucky

For Second Chance month, we spoke to Olivia Murphy, who serves as senior career coach (and now youth program manager) for The Spot: Young Adult Opportunity Center in Louisville, KY. The story highlights how KentuckianaWorks navigates the challenges of life after incarceration, and how their impact encourages people to embrace second chances.

Read the full story to learn more.

2024 NIWL Annual Report

Our work in 2024 highlights our pivotal role in workforce development across the country. In fulfilling our mission to advance solutions in education and workforce systems, we establish partnerships, expand economic opportunities through work-based learning, foster employee engagement, and provide a comprehensive spectrum of services for learning and workforce development.

Read NIWL’s 2024 Annual Report to learn more about our work to strengthen our partners and forge connections so that we can all reach our fullest potential.

Just looking for the highlights? Check out our 2024 Infographic.