Recent News
Institute for Workforce Excellence Honors Talent Standouts With Impact Awards
This press release was originally published on the Indiana Chamber web site.
(INDIANAPOLIS) — As Indiana employers continue to seek skilled, career-ready talent, the Institute for Workforce Excellence (IWE) is recognizing the people and programs delivering results.
At its 20th annual Impact Awards, presented today in Noblesville during the 2026 Indiana Work-Based Learning Conference, IWE honored exemplary learners, employers and education partners who are helping build the state’s future workforce. The awards program, launched in 2007, received 78 nominations this year across multiple categories.
The 2026 Impact Award winners:
Work-Based Learner of the Year (College): Julius Choga: Franklin College (Franklin), Indianapolis Airport Authority (Indianapolis) Work-Based Learner of the Year (High School): Shayna Stevens: Indian Creek High School (Trafalgar), CREEK Design Lab (Trafalgar) Work-Based Learner of the Year (Adult): Melissa Cotton: Aspire Health (Indianapolis) Career Development Professional of the Year (College): Briannah Bieghler: Marian University (Indianapolis) Career Development Professional of the Year (High School): Jennifer Snyder: …
Jayco Proves High School Interns Provide Valuable Talent Pipeline
Jayco’s internship program began the same way as many others. Initially more of an informal program, internships were viewed as a way to positively impact students in Jayco’s community. After growing beyond the traditional college internship offerings through a formal partnership with Northridge High School, the company reinforced their internships, and crafted them into a proactive talent strategy.
The current iteration of Jayco’s high school internship program began during the 2020-2021 school year. While internships are typically thought of as opportunities for college students, Jayco’s program expanded to include high schoolers – predominantly juniors and seniors. It was created to “explore another talent pipeline – specifically more in our production areas,” says Ashley Newcomer, Jayco’s employee relations manager. “It focuses on students who potentially don’t see themselves going to college after high school, and want to jump right into the workforce.”
Creating Opportunities
Taking place during the school year, high …
Recapping Indiana Intern Day 2025
Indiana Intern Day had 104 unique organizations make the pledge to recognize Indiana’s interns and work-based learning programs! The day saw lots of kudos, plenty of snacks, and many social media posts. Check out some of this year’s highlights below!
E-gineering
Interns presented the projects they worked on during a company-wide luncheon to showcase their growth, creativity, and impact. To make the event even more special, interns’ families were invited to join the occasion. The day concluded with cake, photos, and plenty of recognition!
E-gineering’s group of summer interns.
East Chicago Public Library
The East Chicago Public Library gave their interns food and goodie bags for Indiana Intern Day! They had supervisors share stories of their experiences with the interns, and interns get the opportunity to elaborate on their internships.
The East Chicago Public Library’s IT intern, Bryson.
Envelop Group
Envelop Group has been …
2026 Impact Awards Nominations and Work-Based Learning Conference Proposals Are Open!
Impact Awards Nominations
Nominations are now open for the 20th Annual Impact Awards! The awards luncheon celebrates Indiana’s work-based learning excellence, and is part of our Indiana Work-Based Learning Conference on January 27, 2026. Attendees can choose to attend the whole conference or only the lunch portion of the event, so student work-based learners can still enjoy the awards separately from the conference! Submit nominations in any or all of the following categories:
Work-Based Learner of the Year: Recognizes a work-based learner that made a positive impact in their role, showed growth in leadership skills and always expressed professionalism in the workplace. There are three categories: college, high school and adult. The learner’s experience must have taken place in Indiana. Career Development Professional of the Year: Celebrates assistance to learners with work-based learning/internship opportunities, communication with learners/employers, and coaching learners on work-based learning professionalism and career development. There are …
Work and Learn Indiana Spotlights Success With Impact Awards
This press release was originally published on the Indiana Chamber web site.
February 13, 2025 (INDIANAPOLIS) — Work-based learning has become a key component in building and diversifying Indiana’s talent pipeline, which is critical to moving the state forward. Internships and mentoring are key.
Work and Learn Indiana (WLI) celebrated those involved in promoting, creating and cultivating on-the-job experiences today at its Indiana Work-Based Learning Conference in Noblesville featuring the 19th Annual Impact Awards. The event honors Hoosier work-based learners, employers, innovative programs, work-based learning supervisors and career development professionals.
The Indiana Work-Based Learning Conference is a convening of best practices and sharing of ideas toward growth and partnership within workforce and education. There were more than 100 Impact Awards nominations spanning the categories.
Honorees:
Work-Based Learner of the Year (College): Lian Fernandez: Marian University (Indianapolis), Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis Work-Based Learner of the Year (High School): Lucas Harth: Perry Central Junior …
Nominations Open for 19th Annual Impact Awards
Impact Awards nominations are now open! The Impact Awards Luncheon celebrates work-based learning excellence in Indiana, and is a featured part of our annual Indiana Work-Based Learning Conference. Nominations are now open in the following categories: Work-Based Learner of the Year (formerly Intern of the Year): Recognizes a work-based learner that made a positive impact in their role, showed growth in leadership skills and always expressed professionalism in the workplace. There are three categories: college, high school and adult. Career Development Professional of the Year: Celebrates assistance to learners with work-based learning/internship opportunities, communication with learners/employers, and coaching learners on work-based learning professionalism and career development. This is broken into three categories: college, high school, and adult learner. Outstanding Employer of the Year: Honors a successful approach to a work-based learning program, formation of meaningful project work, and providing learners with professional mentoring and networking opportunities. Employers are permitted to nominate themselves. …