This is a standing committee that is responsible for:
- Connecting local and regional business, education and economic development initiatives
- Promoting sector strategies for target industries
- Promoting partnerships within the local and regional one stop systems and American Job Center
- Developing service strategies for specific populations such as youth, offenders and individuals with disabilities
These meetings are not open to the public as this committee only makes recommendations to the workforce board. Non-board members can and do serve on this committee. If you would like to get involved, contact the workforce administrator, Dylan Wren, at dwren@lincoln.ne.gov.
Current Members
Chair
- Jacquelyn Miller, Nebraska VR
Board Members
- Ashley Krajewski, Spreetail
- Bryan Seck, Kawasaki
- Connie Daily, Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Heather Loughman, Community Action Partnership for Lancaster and Saunders Counties
- Cristina Thaut, Adult Education at Southeast Community College
- Chelsea Reller, Talent +
Non-board Members
- Marguerite Himmelberg, Southeast Community College
- Travis Beck, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
- Jennifer Williams, Office of Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird
Priorities of the Committee
- Support the stabilization/development of the basics in workforce
- Connect with employers
- Develop a story board – what we do and why & data benchmarks
- Work together with economic development
Meeting Materials
April 14, 2022
July 14, 2022
October 13, 2022
Public sector partnership
The workforce board will work with the other local areas to develop industry sector strategies within the region. The Strategic Initiatives Committee in partnership with Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development will develop sector strategies. Strategies will align with the development of the career pathways. These sector strategies will help individuals with barriers to employment enter the labor market and support and strengthen employers. Individuals with barriers to employment include Veterans, low-income individuals, individuals who speak English as a second language, single parents, farmworkers, in-school and out-of-school youth, the unemployed and other disadvantaged populations.
Though the use of customized and incumbent worker training funds, the following employers have received matching funds from the workforce board to maintain, grow their business, and support sector strategies.
| Employer/Group | Approved | Award Amount | Funding Source | Employees/Potential Employees Served | Match Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Manufacturing Council | April 29, 2021 | $20,700.00 | Customized/ Adult | 60 | 50% |
| Nelnet Diversified Solutions, LLC | April 29, 2021 | $62,000.00 | Incumbent Worker/ Dislocated Worker | 15 | 50% |
| Echo | December 21, 2021 | $66,620.00 | Workforce Preparation/Adult | 15-20 | N/A |
| Kawasaki | December 21, 2021 | $18,000.00 | Incumbent Worker/ Adult | 30 | 50% |
| Educare of Lincoln | January 27, 2022 | $20,600.00 | Customized/ Adult | 5 | 50% |
| Tabitha | January 27, 2022 | $29,012.74 | Customized/Incumbent Worker Adult/Dislocated Worker |
24 | 50% |
| Garner Industries | April 28, 2022 | $12,810.00 | Incumbent Worker/ Adult | 24 | 50% |
| Kawasaki | April 28, 2022 | $25,620.00 | Incumbent Worker/ Adult | 60 | 50% |
| Kawasaki | April 28, 2022 | $6,000.00 | Incumbent Worker/ Adult | 11 | 50% |
| Instinct Pet Food | April 28, 2022 | $37,170.00 | Incumbent Worker/ Adult | 108 | 50% |
| Five Nines Technology Group | April 28, 2022 | $39,600.00 | Customized/ Adult | 6-8 | 50% |
| Educare Lincoln | August 31, 2022 | $8,832.83 | Customized/Incumbent Worker | 5 | 75% |
| Tabitha | August 31, 2022 | $13,280.00 | Customized/Incumbent Worker | 20 | 50% |
Career pathways
To support our participants in achieving economic independence, the development of career pathways is key. This model truly empowers participants to thrive in work. The Strategic initiatives Committee has worked with workforce partners and employers to create four career pathways in the following sectors:
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Agribusiness and Natural Resources (especially positions addressing conservation and energy efficiency)
- Healthcare
- Technology
Inclusivity
The workforce board will work with plan partners to identify barriers for job seekers and workers (including unemployed workers), Veterans, and individuals with barriers to employment from participating in the workforce including the acquisition of skills and knowledge that create career pathways. The Strategic initiatives Committee will work to identify five or more barriers to participation and address those barriers.
Continuous Improvement Study
The workforce board has complete evaluation of service delivery at the American Job Center including engagement with service provider staff, American Job Center network partners, job seekers, and employers to better understand what is working and what may need improvement. The workforce board must ensure that all customers receive services in an equitable, efficient, and meaningful manner. We desire to create a customer-centric service delivery strategy. As the labor market environment is rapidity evolving, we will step up and constantly look for new ways to innovate on behalf of the public.
- PY20 Original Completed Study- Wichita State University
- Business and Job Seeker Focus Group Presentation
- Secret Shopper and Employee Feedback Presentation
- PY21 Completed Secret Shopper Study – Wichita State University
Youth Program Initiatives
Enhance youth employment opportunities by expanding partnerships with businesses, schools, and other community organizations. The workforce board plans to increase promotion of the program through allowable outreach efforts. We will build stronger partnerships with Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development, school counselors, and other youth programs, including those from state agencies. We will keep a focus on issues of race, equity, inclusion, and diversity. We aim to make the program elements as “work-like” as possible to help build soft skills, industry knowledge, and financial literacy. We will show and talk about success stories with more employers.
