Recognizing the Best in Workforce Development 

Every year, GBRIA honors the contractors, schools, and institutions that are doing the hard work of building Southeast Louisiana's industrial workforce. The GBRIA Workforce Development Awards shine a spotlight on programs that are recruiting, training, and retaining the next generation of craft professionals — and setting the standard for what great looks like.

Whether you're a contractor pushing the boundaries of craft training, a high school giving students a real path to a career, or a post-secondary institution preparing workers for industry — this program is for you.

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Why Participate?

• Benchmark your program against peers across Southeast Louisiana — all data kept confidential
• Compete for recognition at one of GBRIA's most celebrated annual events
• Gain visibility with the region's leading industrial plants and contractors
• Identify opportunities to strengthen your recruitment, training, and retention efforts
• Celebrate your team's work on a regional stage

2026 TIMELINE

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.

Please note: A new login is required to submit nominations and applications through OpenWater, our awards management platform. This is separate from your GBRIA website login.

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Award Categories

Contractors

Awards are presented based on the type of work and size of the company. Nominees are evaluated across six category types:

• General Construction & Maintenance
• Civil and Structural (including ironwork, infrastructure, and heavy work)
• Specialty Trade – Hard Craft (including millwright, pipefitter, etc.)
• Specialty Trade – Soft Craft (including insulation, painting, scaffolding, etc.)
• Technical Support (including NDT, boilermakers, environmental, etc.)
• Other Specialty Contractors

Company size divisions (Division I, II, III) are determined by total hours worked company-wide and assigned by the Awards Selection Committee after all nominations are received.

Each contractor receives a score based on their application and workforce development program evaluation. Awards are presented at three levels: Excellence, Merit, and Recognition.

Specialty Awards (Contractors)

Top-performing contractors are also considered for the following specialty awards, given at the discretion of the awards selection committee:

• Best Recruitment Program
• Best Assessment Program
• Best Training Program
• Innovation Award (must be related to a program implemented in the last 3 years and not previously awarded)
• Best Overall

To be considered for a specialty award, all judges reviewing the application must recommend the submittal, which is then reviewed by the full judging committee. The top-scoring companies in each category are considered for Best Overall.

High Schools

High schools that offer craft career and technical education (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.

Awards are presented at three levels: Excellence, Merit, and Recognition.

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.

Awards are presented at three levels: Excellence, Merit, and Recognition.

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.

How Judging Works

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 Institutions and Contractors: Judges are drawn from across GBRIA's membership representing a variety of companies and disciplines. Each application is assigned to three judges from different organizations. Scores are averaged to produce the official score.

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.

GBRIA Workforce Development Hall of Fame

The Hall of Fame represents the highest honor in our program — 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.

Hall of Fame Inductees

About This Program

The GBRIA Workforce Development Awards were established in 2007 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.

Ready to Get Involved?

For nominations and applications: Submit via OpenWater

For more information: Contact Brandon Smith at brandon@gbria.org

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