This explanatory qualitative study investigated the perspectives of participant's and practitioner's perceived barriers to success and the necessary navigational expertise for overcoming the identified barriers. This multiple-case study research design examined three WIA out-of-school youth workforce development programs in Southern Nevada, with out-of-school youth participants as the embedded units of analysis. Padilla's (2009) Expert Model of Student Success was selected as the conceptual framework for this study. A qualitative survey was the research method applied using the unfolding matrix technique with participant focus groups for data collection. Individual interviews were also incorporated for additional data acquisition. The methods selected for analysis of the data were taxonomies, thematic maps, and concept modeling. In addition, cross-case analysis led to the development of localized conceptual models of participant success. Strategies enhancing credibility, consistency and transferability were employed to increase the trustworthiness of the findings. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]