Workforce First Champion Designation

NEW ALBANY, Ind. — September 3, 2026 — W. M. Kelley Company, Inc. has earned the Workforce First Champion designation from the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, recognizing the company’s longstanding commitment to developing employees, creating career opportunities and strengthening the regional workforce.

The Workforce First Employer designation, administered by the Institute for Workforce Excellence, a subsidiary of the Indiana Chamber, honors employers that demonstrate leadership in workforce development and long-term talent investment. The program recognizes efforts such as employee upskilling, internships and other work-based learning opportunities, high-quality jobs and wages, partnerships with workforce and education organizations, and a strong commitment to talent development.

To qualify, employers are evaluated across multiple focus areas, including work-based learning, upskilling and reskilling, employee support, and collaboration with workforce partners. Employers with established, robust workforce-development efforts are designated as champions.

At W. M. Kelley, these efforts include student internships, facility tours, career fairs, Manufacturing Day events and other opportunities that introduce students to careers in modern manufacturing. These initiatives are made possible through partnerships with Purdue Polytechnic New Albany, Prosser Career Education Center, local school systems, One Southern Indiana and Southern Indiana Works. Together, these organizations help connect students, educators and employers while building a stronger talent pipeline for Southern Indiana.

W. M. Kelley is a New Albany-based, 100% employee-owned manufacturer serving customers across a range of industries. The company employs more than 120 employee-owners and has been a part of the Southern Indiana community for more than 50 years.

To learn more about the Workforce First Employer designation and view the full list of honorees, visit workforceindiana.org/workforcefirst.