2020 Awards

The Workforce Innovation Awards  (formerly known as the Salute to the Leadership Awards) were created by the NASWA Board of Directors to provide emphasis on the achievements of each NASWA award and focus on states' innovations in workforce, while encouraging states to participate. Below is the full schedule with award winners named for all NASWA Workforce Innovation Awards:

View previous years' nominees and winners to see more state collaborations and innovations.

Winter Policy Forum (Winter)

The Winter Workforce Innovation Awards will be presented during the Winter Policy Forum in Washington, D.C., February 12, 2020. The five awards listed below will be presented during the awards ceremony.

• Merrill Baumgardner Innovation in Information Technology Award
• Data Insights and Innovations Award
• William J. Harris Equal Opportunity Award
• Pinnacle Award for Business Development
• Pinnacle Award for Workforce Development

Veterans Conference (Summer)

• Mark Sanders Exceptional Service to Veterans Award: Yuba County One Stop Career Center's

Workforce Summit (Fall)

The Fall Workforce Innovation Awards will be presented during the Workforce Summit. The State Excellence Award and the National Business of the Year Award will both be presented during the awards ceremony. All NASWA awards presented during the association year will be highlighted during the Workforce Innovation Awards.

• Mark Sanders Exceptional Service to Veterans Award: - South Dakota Workforce Innovation Award Nomination: Expanding apprenticeships in South Dakota (2019 Winner - State Excellence Award)