Indiana Recognized with Prestigious Pinnacle Award for Workforce Innovation
WASHINGTON – The Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) was honored with the prestigious Pinnacle Award for Workforce Development for its Integrated Education and Training (IET) to Pre-Apprenticeship Expansion Initiative – Developing Foundational On-ramps to Apprenticeships. Presented by the National Association of State Workforce Agencies’(NASWA) Employment & Training Committee at the 2026 Winter Policy Forum in National Harbor, MD, this award is bestowed upon a state demonstrating excellence and innovation in workforce development.
Indiana DWD launched a statewide initiative in early 2023 to expand Pre Apprenticeship Programs (PRAPs) using the proven Adult Education IET model. DWD’s Adult Education and Work Based Learning teams partnered with regional workforce boards and employer partners to adapt the IET framework and build scalable, employer aligned pathways into Registered Apprenticeships. The model integrates foundational academic instruction, job focused skills training, employer alignment, and wrap around supports to help unemployed and underemployed adults transition into in demand careers.
“Indiana’s IET-driven approach to scaling pre-apprenticeships demonstrates the power of coordinated, statewide collaboration,” NASWA President and CEO Scott B. Sanders said. “By aligning workforce boards, adult education providers, and state agencies, Indiana has expanded access in both urban and rural communities. The rapid growth of adult education–aligned pre-apprenticeships shows how strong partnerships and shared strategy can produce sustainable, scalable workforce solutions.”
More than 200 adult learners have enrolled in PRAPs across high demand fields, including construction, welding, manufacturing, and education. Programs now operate in 10 of Indiana’s 12 economic regions, with full statewide availability expected by September 2026. By extending a nationally recognized Adult Education model into apprenticeship preparation, Indiana created a replicable approach that reduces barriers for learners, strengthens employer pipelines, and reinforces the state’s leadership in apprenticeship innovation.
“This recognition reflects Indiana’s commitment to building intentional, scalable pathways into high-demand careers,” said Indiana DWD Interim Commissioner Mike Smith. “Through our strategy, we created sustainable workforce solutions that expand access, remove barriers, and strengthen Indiana’s long-term economic competitiveness.”
For more information, visit NASWA’s Winter Policy Forum and Employment & Training Committee webpages.
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About the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (www.IN.gov/DWD): Operating within the Office of Commerce, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) administers workforce and unemployment insurance programs that support Hoosiers and employers across the state. DWD oversees unemployment insurance and employment services, work-based learning initiatives, registered apprenticeships, adult education, and labor market information to strengthen Indiana’s talent pipeline and drive economic growth. Through strategic partnerships with workforce boards, employers, education providers, and state agencies, DWD connects individuals to training and career opportunities while helping businesses build and retain a skilled workforce. DWD’s advancement of Indiana’s skilled, future-ready workforce is guided by a commitment to service, accountability, and continuous improvement.
