Workforce Development Awards
Recognizing exemplary efforts in workforce development
Initiatives / Workforce Development
Workforce Development Awards
Each year, GBRIA honors the contractors, schools, and institutions doing the hard work of building Southeast Louisiana's industrial workforce — recognizing the programs that recruit, train, and retain the next generation of craft professionals.
Why Participate
Recognition that means something
The GBRIA Workforce Development Awards offer more than a trophy. Participation benchmarks your program against peers, elevates your profile with regional industry leaders, and gives your team a regional stage to celebrate the work they do every day.
Benchmark
Compare your program against peers across Southeast Louisiana. All data kept confidential.
Compete
Earn recognition at one of GBRIA's most celebrated annual events.
Gain Visibility
Put your organization in front of the region's leading industrial plants and contractors.
Identify Gaps
Uncover opportunities to strengthen your recruitment, training, and retention efforts.
Celebrate
Honor your team's work on a regional stage in front of industry leaders.
2026 Program
Timeline
April 1
Nominations Open
April 23
Nominations Close
April 30
Kick-off Meeting
May 14
High School Applications Due
June 8 – 19
High School Judging (in-person)
June 19
Post-Secondary & Contractor Applications Due
July 6 – 17
Post-Secondary & Contractor Judging (independent)
July 23
Awards Selection Meeting
July 30
Specialty Awards Selection Meeting
August 27
Awards Banquet — Marriott Baton Rouge 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Eligibility
Who can be nominated?
GBRIA member companies may nominate any contractor whose services they currently use or have used in the past year. Contractors, high schools, and post-secondary institutions may also self-nominate. Champions may be nominated by any GBRIA member, contractor, or via self-nomination.
Contractors
Member companies may nominate contractors they work with, or contractors may self-nominate. Divided into size divisions based on total hours worked company-wide.
High Schools
Schools offering craft CTE programs — including traditional CTE, Pre-Engineering, and PTEC — are eligible. Evaluated via online application and in-person presentation.
Post-Secondary
Community colleges, technical colleges, and PTEC programs submit a full application and recorded presentation. Continuing education institutions are recognized from the podium.
Champions
Individuals who have demonstrated exceptional initiative and achievement in craft workforce development. Nominated by any GBRIA member, contractor, or organization.
Award Categories
What's recognized
Contractors
Awards are presented by type of work and company size. Each contractor is scored on their application and workforce development program evaluation. Division I, II, and III are assigned by the Awards Selection Committee after all nominations are received.
Specialty Awards (Contractors)
Top-performing contractors are considered for specialty awards at the discretion of the awards selection committee. All judges reviewing the application must recommend the submission before it advances to the full committee.
High Schools
High schools that offer craft CTE programs - including traditional CTE programs, Pre-Engineering, and PTEC programs — are eligible to compete. Schools are evaluated through an online application and an in-person presentation with the judging panel.
Post-Secondary Institutions
Technical education providers — including community and technical colleges and PTEC programs — submit a full application and recorded presentation for judging. Continuing education institutions that are nominated will be recognized from the podium at the Awards Banquet.
Champions
Champions are individuals who have demonstrated exceptional initiative and achievement in craft workforce development. Any GBRIA member, contractor, or organization may nominate a Champion.
Process
How Judging Works
Judges are drawn from GBRIA's membership representing a variety of companies and disciplines. In all categories, the GBRIA Awards Committee convenes to review scores and confirm final placements. When evaluating applications and presentations, judges are asked to consider the size and resources of the organization. Half points are allowed.
High Schools
Judges review the online application and meet in person with school representatives for the presentation. All assembled judges submit scores, which are averaged to produce the school's official score.
Post-Secondary & Contractors
Each application is assigned to three judges from different organizations drawn from GBRIA's membership. Scores are averaged to produce the official score, then reviewed by the full Awards Committee.
Highest Honor
Workforce Development Hall of Fame
Reserved for individuals whose lifetime of achievement has shaped generations of craft workers and transformed Louisiana's workforce development landscape. Induction is at the discretion of GBRIA's Board of Directors.
| Year | Inductee | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Robert Clouatre | ABC Pelican |
| 2015 | Melanie Searles | ABC Pelican |
| 2019 | Lane Grigsby | Cajun Industries |
| 2019 | Eddie Rispone | ISC |
| 2023 | Glen Redd | Triad Electric and Controls |
| 2023 | Roland Toups | Turner Industries Group |
| 2024 | Art Favre | Performance Contractors |
| 2024 | Steve Welch | OxyChem |
| 2025 | Don McCollister | Turner Industries Group |
| 2025 | Lawrence Mauerman | Southeastern Louisiana University |
| 2025 | Milton Graugnard | Cajun Industries |
About This Program
Established in 2007
The GBRIA Workforce Development Awards were established through a joint effort of GBRIA's Contractor Workforce Development Committee, Board of Directors, and local contractors. The program was designed to promote best practices that improve the skills and retention of craft personnel across the region — and to recognize the contractors, schools, educators, and individuals who are making it happen.
This program supports one of GBRIA's core strategic objectives: ensuring access to a competitive, skilled craft and company workforce for Southeast Louisiana's industrial sector.