NDN DEVELOPMENT GROUP
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NDN DEVELOPMENT GROUP About Partners Programs Impact Donate Get Involved Contact Us
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WORKFORCE PATHWAYS

Pilot-Ready Programs

We create structured pathways into high-wage, union apprenticeships and infrastructure careers. Our programs are designed in partnership with local building trades and employers to ensure every worker receives industry-standard training.

Construction Pre-Apprenticeship

A short, hands-on on-ramp into construction trades. Designed to prepare learners for apprenticeship entry standards, jobsite expectations, and safe work.

  • Designed for: Tribal members and community learners.
  • Typical duration: 6 to 8 weeks.
  • Includes: Safety, tool use, basic construction math, jobsite culture, and interview prep.

Telecommunications & Fiber

A modular training pathway for broadband and telecom roles tied to real infrastructure demand.

  • Designed for: Learners pursuing outside plant and fiber installation.
  • Typical duration: Modular (12 to 24 weeks).
  • Includes: Safety, fiber fundamentals, certification preparation, and field readiness.

Solar & Sustainability

A clean energy pathway designed to match the realities of implementation: safety, quality work, and project alignment.

  • Designed for: Learners pursuing solar/clean energy roles.
  • Typical duration: 8 to 12 weeks.
  • Includes: Safety, fundamentals, and project-attached learning.

Stackable modules

We configure specific modules as needed based on project demands.

  • Low voltage systems (fire alarms, CCTV)
  • Building automation systems
  • Data center & structured cabling
  • Network fundamentals
  • Digital literacy (on-ramp)
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CAPITAL STRATEGY

Funding & Deployment Strategy

NDN helps tribes and Indigenous NGOs capture federal funding and philanthropic capital to build sustainable workforce ecosystems.

We help design the compliance, tracking, and reporting systems needed to manage large-scale grants effectively.

Key Focus Areas

Construction, Infrastructure, Clean Energy, Broadband.

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SYSTEMS CHANGE

Capacity Building

We provide technical assistance to help tribal workforce offices, community colleges, and non-profits build their internal strength.

Our focus is on long-term sustainability, helping organizations move from short-term grant projects to enduring institutions.

Services Provided

Program Management, Workforce Development, Curriculum Design, Data Management, Partnership Brokering, Board Development.

Building economic power in Indigenous communities.

NDN Development Group is a Native-led, community-accountable intermediary supporting Tribal Nations to design, fund, and launch workforce and economic development initiatives that protect sovereignty and deliver measurable outcomes.

CURRENT INITIATIVES

What's moving now

  • Funding & Readiness: Building grant-ready program packages in workforce, broadband, and clean energy.
  • Project-aligned workforce: Designing training tied to real infrastructure and enterprise projects.
  • Implementation Backbone: Standing up partner coordination, compliance, and reporting systems that tribes can own.
  • Pipeline: Advancing multiple opportunity tracks including facilities readiness and broadband workforce.
  • Media Center: Launching our new digital hub for stories, insights, and podcasts at media.ndndevelopment.org.
STRATEGY

Targets

In the near term, our focus is on building pilots that can expedite enterprise creation and then scaling those to serve all of Indian Country.

  • Advance our new pilot initiatives from concept to execution.
  • Stand up our newest workforce cohorts designed for tribal enterprise expansion, tribal infrastructure buildout, and more.
  • Standardize partner scopes so each new pilot program starts faster.
OUR MISSION IN ACTION

We Move Resources to Communities

NDN Development Group designs workforce training programs, funding strategies, and partnerships that respect tribal sovereignty and advance equitable systems change.

Workforce Training

Pre-apprenticeship, industry certifications, and skilled trades pathways designed with tribal partners and union allies.

Explore Pilot Pathways →

Funding & Strategy

We stack federal grants, philanthropy, and earned revenue to make programs sustainable and scale what works.

Learn More →

Capacity Building

Technical assistance, partnership brokering, and tools to help tribal workforce offices and Indigenous-led organizations grow their impact.

Learn More →
OUR CORE BELIEFS

Sovereignty.
Dignity.
Results.

We are Native-led and community-accountable. Every program we design centers the self-determination of tribal nations and the power of workers.

Tribal Sovereignty First

Programs and partnerships must respect and strengthen tribal authority, not undermine it.

Worker Power Matters

We believe in unions, living wages, and pathways to ownership. Economic development should lift workers.

ECOSYSTEM COLLABORATORS

How We Work

NDN serves as the brain and backbone between Tribal Nations and the external ecosystem of training providers, employers, unions, technical firms, and funders. Decision-rights stay with the Nation. Our job is to reduce friction, protect sovereignty, and move initiatives from vision to execution.

OUR TRACK RECORD

Measurable Outcomes & Sustainable Growth

120+

Workers Placed

8

Tribal Nations

92%

Job Placement

$750K

Funding Secured

GET INVOLVED

Three Ways to Engage

1. Join a Training Program

Find pre-apprenticeship or certification programs in your region. Take the first step.

→ View Programs

2. Partner with Us

Are you a Tribal Nation, Union, or industry group? Let's design a custom system together.

→ Contact Our Team

3. Support Our Mission

Help us scale our impact and reach more Indigenous communities through direct investment.

→ Donate Now
CONTACT US

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