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LINCOLN — Last week, Governor Jim Pillen signed a proclamation recognizing September as Workforce Development Month at the Nebraska State Capitol. The ceremony was attended by members of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL).
“The economic development of this state and the ability of our businesses and industries to compete in the global economy are more than ever before dependent on the availability and quality of a skilled workforce and robust talent pipeline,” Pillen said.
Workforce Development Month, celebrated each year nationally, honors workforce development professionals and raises awareness of how training programs strengthen local communities and the economy. DHHS’s Office of Economic Assistance (OEA) contains several programs through its Economic Mobility team to strengthen the workforce.
One of these programs is SNAP Employment & Training (E&T), which provides training to prepare participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for the workforce. Over the last year, Nebraska expanded coverage from 60 counties to all 93 and increased new enrollments by 74%. Additionally, the state increased the number of thirdparty partners participating in the program by 253%.
Additionally, Employment First (EF) is offered through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, helping more than 1,300 families reach self-sufficiency. Next month, TANF will start its new pilot program, refocusing its efforts to client-driven, individualized career planning, which includes family stabilization, education, and employment opportunities.
DHHS also collaborates with NDOL and its Registered Apprenticeship Team to strengthen the workforce. As part of the Good Life, Great Careers Initiative launched last year, Nebraska recently surpassed 5,000 active registered apprentices, advancing toward the set goal of 6,000 by 2030.
At the ceremony, OEA Director Barbara Lacina thanked Governor Pillen for recognizing Workforce Development Month and highlighting the efforts of the Economic Mobility team, as well as the program participants.
“Their resilience, determination, and enthusiasm make them assets in the workplace, and we share this Workforce Development Month celebration with them,” she said. “This month gives us a chance to pause and recognize not just the outcomes, but the people behind them.”
NDOL Commissioner Katie Thurber touted NDOL’s efforts to strengthen the education-toemployment pipeline, as well as the Workforce Pell Program, which provides short-term training for workers. She also thanked Governor Pillen, stating that Nebraska is prioritizing workforce development under his leadership, and called the proclamation a call to action for everyone invested in the state’s workers.
“At the end of the day, our goal is simple: Make Nebraska a place where every young person can imagine a bright future,” Thurber said. “A place where the pathways are clear, opportunities are strong, and the Good Life feels within reach.”