Annual workforce Award nominations are now open
Help us celebrate excellence and recognize workforce successes. Nominations are now open for the 16th Annual Workforce Innovation Awards, presented by the Northern Kentucky Workforce Investment Board (NKWIB) and NKY Works. We will present five awards:
The Talia Frye Workforce Investment Champion Award (Employer/Company) honors the lasting legacy of Talia Frye and is presented by the NKWIB to an employer demonstrating innovation and excellence in advancing exceptional career opportunities for Northern Kentuckians. During her 20 years at the Brighton Center, Talia, was instrumental in creating and advancing several cornerstone initiatives, including GROW NKY, the NKY Chamber Women's Initiative, the Opportunity Youth Cohort, the Talent Collaborative of Greater Cincinnati, Trades to Success, and Two-Generational Family Approach programming. In 2020, she was named NKWIB’s Outstanding Workforce Employee of the Year.
NKY Works Workforce Innovator of the Year (Employee at an Employer/Company)
This award honors an employee who has challenged conventional workplace practices to help their organization adapt, grow, and lead in today’s evolving labor market. Recognizing the need for change, this individual has taken the initiative to examine workplace culture, ask difficult questions, and implement meaningful improvements. Their efforts have led to lasting, organization-wide impact and positioned both themselves and their company as models of innovation locally and nationally.
WIB Workforce Team of the Year (Nonprofit Workforce Development Partner)
This award recognizes a nonprofit workforce development partner whose team demonstrates a strong commitment to collaboration and strategic use of community resources. Their work is grounded in a deep understanding of the regional workforce landscape and a focus on identifying partnerships that lead to measurable improvements. The team plays an active role in advancing initiatives that strengthen the region’s economic and workforce development efforts.
The NKY Works Workforce Professional of the Year (Individual who Works for a Nonprofit Workforce Development Partner)
This award honors a dedicated professional at a nonprofit workforce partner who consistently delivers exceptional support to job seekers and employers alike. Known for building strong, trusting relationships with clients, this individual helps people navigate career pathways, identify the right training opportunities, and make high-impact employment matches. With a reputation for outstanding service and deep expertise, they serve as both a trusted resource for partners and a role model for their peers.
The NKY Works Workforce Volunteer of the Year (Board, Committee, or Focus Area Volunteer in the Workforce Ecosystem)
This award recognizes an individual who has generously shared their time and professional expertise to strengthen workforce development across the region. Through dedicated volunteer service, this person has facilitated meaningful progress in addressing workforce challenges and improving outcomes in Northern Kentucky’s labor market. Their commitment and leadership have made a lasting impact on the region’s talent pipeline.
The nominations, available here, are due by Friday, September 19 at 4 PM. The awards will be announced on Tuesday, October 28 at the NKWIB Annual Awards and NKY Works Annual Meeting at the St. Elizabeth Education and Training Center. Registration for the event is free and available here.
Questions? Contact Vicki Berling at Vicki.Berling@NKADD.org or 859.657.WRKS (9757).