Annually, NAWDP recognizes individuals, programs, and employers that display exemplary performance in workforce development. Award winners are recognized at NAWDP’s Annual Conference.
NAWDP is currently accepting nominations for the following awards:
- Workforce Professional of the Year: recognizes an individual for their extraordinary innovation that directly or indirectly impacts programs, customers, or professionals within the workforce system and improves employment opportunities in their communities.
- Workforce Program of the Year: recognizes innovative workforce programs that may include, but is not limited to, implementation of a new system or process, developing an innovative program, creating a new way of delivering services, developing new technology or a new way to use technology, creating new partnerships, developing and/or implementing new policy.
- Workforce Employer of the Year: recognizes a private-sector employer or employer consortium who partners and collaborates with their local workforce partners to create a positive impact in their local area and as a result has benefited other employers, workers and the community.
The award nomination period has closed.
Additionally, NAWDP will recognize one individual as the recipient of the H.G. Weisman award which is granted at the discretion of the NAWDP Board Chair for exceptional services to NAWDP and the field of workforce development.
2025 Award Recipients
Workforce Professional of the Year
Bridget Back
Deputy Director
Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. (EKCEP)
Workforce Program of the Year
Team Oregon Build
Program Collaborators: Lane Education Service District, Mid-Willamette Education Consortioum, Sourthern Oregon Education Service District, local workforce development boards, statewide agencies, and industry partners.
State of Oregon
Workforce Program of the Year
Northwestern Medicine
Workforce Partnership: The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership
State of Illinois
H.G. Weisman Award
Manuel Ugues
Regional Director
SERCO of Texas