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Pepper has been recognized with the David R. McKinnis Community Partner of the Year Award for our leadership and long-standing commitment to work-based learning in Indiana.
Pepper has been recognized with the David R. McKinnis Community Partner of the Year Award for our leadership and long-standing commitment to work-based learning in Indiana. This award highlights organizations that demonstrate exceptional leadership, sustained commitment and meaningful impact in work-based learning, and we are proud to be included among them.
For more than 11 years, we have partnered with Work and Learn Indiana (formerly Indiana INTERNnet) to provide internships for college students across the state. This partnership helps fund internships, making it possible for more employers to offer hands-on opportunities and for more students to gain real-world experience in construction.
Our involvement also extends to high school students through the Modern Apprenticeship Program, where we welcomed our first apprentice two years ago. Additionally, we have participated in the SEAL (State Earn and Learn) program, which introduces younger students to the trades and encourages them to begin their apprenticeship journey early in high school. This year, four students participated in SEAL, gaining valuable exposure to the construction industry.
In addition to on-site learning, Pepper continues to grow our internship program by offering community service opportunities, celebrating intern contributions and participating in job fairs at local schools. These efforts help students explore careers in construction and understand the many paths available within our industry.
Since 2009, we have welcomed 141 interns, and 38 of them have accepted full-time roles at Pepper. In the last five years, our classes have grown from 8 interns in 2019 to 21 in 2025.
Former intern Amritpal Chohan, now a Project Engineer I on the Purdue University Nursing and Pharmacy Education Building project, shared, “The internship with Pepper exceeded my expectations. I was able to be more involved and learn more than in past internships. It was nice to be part of the team, receive regular feedback and provide real contributions to the project.“
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The David R. McKinnis Award is named for a leader who championed employer partnerships and believed in recognizing organizations that lead with purpose and generosity. Pepper’s work-based learning initiatives carry these values forward, demonstrating a strong commitment to empowering students as they explore career pathways and prepare to enter the workforce with confidence.
“The impact we make on students today is going to set the stage for our industry for years to come. Now more than ever, we recognized the continued importance of providing professional opportunities to students to help them make educated career choices and enter the workforce prepared for what's ahead. We are proud to continue to be a part of that journey for these students.” - Sarah Thurman, Human Resources Director, Pepper Construction
Our dedication to work-based learning continues to shape the future of the construction industry and create opportunities for students to thrive.
About Work and Learn Indiana
Work and Learn Indiana is a program of the Institute for Workforce Excellence, a 501(c)3 subsidiary of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. The program links employers, learners, high schools, colleges and universities. It is a dynamic, searchable database, matching and reporting system that also provides resources and guidance on work-based learning opportunities. The goal is to help create or expand high-quality experiential opportunities within Indiana.
Originally formed as Indiana INTERNnet in 2001, it was the solution to a series of Indiana Chamber-led studies that demonstrated the state's "brain drain" issue. The Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce initiated and operated the program in partnership with the University of Indianapolis. With continued funding from the Lilly Endowment, the organization was granted 501(c)3 tax exempt status in May 2004 and moved to the Indiana Chamber, the state's largest business advocacy organization, where it rebranded to Work and Learn Indiana in 2021.
For more information, visit www.workandlearnindiana.com.