Aksarben Foundation takes on new initiatives to answer Nebraska’s tech talent crisis

University of Nebraska Chancellor Ronnie Green joined officials at the Aksarben Foundation Monday afternoon.

The news conference was at Innovation campus, they spoke about the new initiatives to answer Nebraska’s tech talent crisis.

“The number of new jobs in Nebraska and the growth in this area has been totally flat over the years while every other state around us is growing at double digit numbers and the bottom line is we don’t have the people to fill the jobs,” Chairman at Nebraska Tech Collaborative, Mike Cassling said.

The foundation is bringing their business leaders from across the state to tackle the states shortage of high-tech workers. Nearly 100 representatives are already a part of the effort.

The plan is to work across six areas of emphasis including talent attraction, Pre-K to 12 education, higher education, internships and opportunities for veterans.

“We are going to create our own pipeline and there is a number of different programs that are going on here in the state but every one is working on those amazing programs and are not able to connect the way they should for us to move forward,” President at Aksarben Foundation, Sandra Reding said.

Officials also spoke about the impact current bill’s in the legislature would have on this problem.

“We need programs to attract businesses here, 720 is that type of bill and it has to pass, it was unfortunate it didn’t last time because it helps bring companies here,” Cassling said.

Chancellor Ronnie Green says there is significant conversation about job growth.

“Encouraging students through scholarship support that the legislature is looking at currently so high school, highway, child demand, jobs that this certainly fits in the very core so we have to approach it from every angle,” Green said.

Every single company in Nebraska has some type of technology job. Officials described this shortage as the most critical issue facing the heartland.

If you would like to keep up with what the Aksarben Foundation is doing to boost workforce in the state, click here.