Prevailing wages – may be an old concept, but your technology shouldn’t be

Prevailing wages have been used for paying workers on public works projects since 1891 when the State of Kansas passed the first law which was then followed by other States in the following years.  Then in 1931 the Davis-Bacon Act was passed to ensure that contractors and subcontractors paid their employees prevailing wages on federal construction projects.  In the years since then, there have been many more states and many more jurisdictions that have implemented these programs for workers on their various projects.  For the most part, these requirements have primarily been used in construction projects.

More recently, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) included prevailing wage and apprenticeship (PWA) requirements for organizations to receive increased incentives, primarily tax credits, to enable the construction of new energy and manufacturing projects.  This expansion still generally relates to construction, but the participants represent industry sectors that haven’t typically had exposure to the concept or prevailing wage, or the requirements needing to be tracked to receive the incentive tax credits.

With new funding and incentives there are many organizations looking for technology to support their PWA efforts and simplify the compliance process. They are also finding that many of the technologies haven’t been updated since the early days of prevailing wage projects and are insufficient to meet the needs of today’s requirements and workflows.  This article will help you understand what things to avoid when looking for PWA software, and that there are solutions available to organization’s to easily capture the information that is required, ensure your compliance, and then store/access the data when you need it.  Also, that there is no need to use products known as “industry standards” that were designed in and for a different era.

Searching for PWA Tracking Software – Things To Avoid

When searching for a software solution to support your organization’s efforts to track, monitor and report prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements it’s easy to fall into the trap of assuming that any old software will do.  Following are a few things to avoid.

Outdated and Non-Intuitive User Interfaces

There is a lot of software that was built 15 – 20 years ago to support government entities in tracking different forms of wage compliance.   Users frequently describe the interfaces for these as clunky and not user-friendly since they haven’t been updated that frequently, leading to inefficiencies in navigation and data entry. This can result in increased time spent on tasks and a steeper learning curve for new users.

Steep Learning Curve and Insufficient Training Resources

Many users report challenges in onboarding and mastering these older wage compliance systems due to limited training materials and support. This lack of accessible guidance can hinder effective utilization of the platform’s features and because they are older, they are less intuitive for today’s software users.

Limited Customization and Flexibility

These older software platforms are often criticized for their rigidity, making it difficult to tailor workflows or reports to specific organizational needs. This inflexibility can be a significant drawback for entities seeking to track unique PWA compliance requirements.   In particular, there are number of organizations seeking to obtain tax credits that are already completed and requires the ability of a software to receive bulk imports of payroll information and then provide PWA compliance analysis.  This is not typically a workflow that older software can perform.

Lack of Advanced Features and Innovation

Compared to newer competitors, many of the older compliance software solutions are seen as lacking in modern features such as AI integration, advanced analytics, and real-time dashboards.

Limited Access to Project Data

The architecture of the older solutions can make it difficult to access the project information for the needed users.  For example, subcontractors don’t have direct access to their data to ensure compliance for their workers potentially putting tax credit eligibility at risk.  Also, when the project is completed these older solutions shut off access which makes it impossible to undertake tax credit due diligence, to extend credits because of new project modifications, or to re-engage the data for tax credit transactions.

Technical Issues and System Reliability

Users have reported frequent technical glitches, including login problems and system errors, which can disrupt workflow and productivity. Such issues may necessitate additional time and resources to resolve.

Customer Support Challenges

Feedback indicates that customer support for these older systems can be unresponsive or slow to address issues, leaving users without timely assistance when problems arise. This can exacerbate frustrations and impede resolution of technical difficulties. Especially when working on projects where subcontractors are on the job for shorter periods of time and getting their data captured and analyzed quickly is important.

Opaque Pricing

A number of older compliance platforms will often provide what appears to be a reasonable fee to support your project, but often requires that you purchase additional modules or services to actually meet your project requirements.  In addition, elements of customer support is often provided for additional fees for you and your users.

Data Security Concerns

Data security issues are important monitor for all software solutions, but some of the older wage compliance software have experienced data breach issues which is a significant issue since PWA information includes personnel information.  Be sure to check and see if the platform you’re considering has had any data breaches.

What Happens If We Already Chose Poorly?

The good thing about capturing PWA information is that it can be a fairly standard data set so getting your data files out of one solution and into another can be a reasonably straightforward process using Excel that your new vendor can support.  So, rather than have everyone on your projects suffer with an inadequate technology solution, you should be able to transition to a new software platform within a few weeks, and still capture data for your ongoing projects.  Once the data is transferred to your new solution it will be straightforward to run the analysis necessary to see where gaps may exist within the data, and you will be able to provide access to the users on your project to fill in those gaps.  Additionally, you have a number of projects that are already complete, it is possible to do a batch upload of that data so all of your project data exists within a single platform for analysis and storage.  There is a lot work to be done on many of these projects

What You Should Have in a PWA Technology Solution

Managing renewable energy initiatives comes with a host of regulatory requirements—especially when it comes to meeting prevailing wage and apprenticeship (PWA) standards. Successfully navigating these rules can significantly boost the value of your federal and state tax incentives. But the right tools make all the difference. Modern, intuitive platforms can make compliance seamless and even empowering, while outdated or overly rigid systems can create unnecessary challenges. At SkillSmart, we believe that compliance should be an asset—not a roadblock. That’s why we’ve built a flexible, user-friendly solution designed to streamline the entire process and help you get the most out of your projects.

Federal initiatives like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) have made it more important than ever to use real-time tools that adapt to changing requirements and support large-scale clean energy goals. That’s where SkillSmart’s InSight IQ stands apart—designed specifically for the needs of renewable energy professionals, it enables accurate tracking, efficient management, and quick responsiveness to regulation updates.

Key Questions to Consider When Evaluating Compliance Solutions

1. How easily can you launch and configure new projects?
   A high-performance compliance solution should make onboarding a breeze. InSight IQ allows you to set up and configure new projects within minutes—freeing your team to focus on execution rather than setup.
2. Does the system support PWA payroll reporting and analysis or just Davis-Bacon reporting?
   There are differences between what you need to capture, report and analyze PWA data and what is necessary for Davis-Bacon projects. Make sure that the technologies you’re considering are more than just a repository of PWA data and can support your collection, analysis, reporting and continued archival access to your project data.
3. Can the system handle state-specific requirements like Illinois Shine and NY-Sun Incentive while also meeting Federal requirements?
   Yes. InSight IQ’s flexible architecture makes it easy to deploy federal and state wage rates as well as state and federal forms state-specific forms, our platform adapts quickly to ensure full compliance wherever your project is located.
4. How flexible is the reporting functionality?
   InSight IQ empowers users to create customized reports that reflect the unique needs of each project. With adaptable metrics and clear visualizations, our reporting helps you maintain transparency and stay on top of compliance obligations.
5. Are support and training included with your subscription?
   Absolutely. We offer unlimited support and comprehensive training at no additional cost. From implementation through long-term use, our team is available to help you maximize value and avoid hidden costs.

Older systems often fall short in key areas—limited customization, clunky interfaces, and surprise fees that strain your budget. In contrast, InSight IQ was built with flexibility, modern design, and scalability at its core. We regularly enhance the platform to align with the latest regulatory updates, ensuring your compliance strategy remains current and your tax credits stay protected.

With full data visibility and the ability to manage every compliance layer—from payroll to apprenticeship tracking—InSight IQ gives you total control. Unlike legacy systems that may lock or restrict access to your own project data, our platform ensures ongoing transparency across all contractor tiers. This gives your team the confidence to manage risk, measure impact, and maintain high standards without limitations.

See the Difference with InSight IQ

Want to see how InSight IQ can streamline compliance for your energy projects? Visit https://www.skillsmart.us/skillsmart-insight/ to learn more. With a solution designed for the future of energy infrastructure, you don’t just meet compliance—you master it. Choose a platform that turns regulatory requirements into strategic advantages and helps you achieve both operational excellence and maximum financial return.