Nebraska Department of Labor seeks to fill positions across Lincoln

Lincoln, Neb. (KLKN) – Over 80% of employers across the state are facing staffing issues, according to a study released by the Nebraska Department of Labor.

Officials reported that health care, construction and food industries are seeing the most labor shortages in Nebraska.

Interim Administrator for Reemployment Dawn Carrillo says the goal of the department is to fill those shortages with incentive-based hires.

“What my office is trying to do is to help educate employers on hiring some untapped labor pools,” Carillo said. “And so what those untapped labor pools could be is somebody who was previously incarcerated.”

Carillo said those “justice barrier individuals” would be sponsored federally, benefitting both the hiree and the employer.

“That gives employers a tax credit for hiring individuals who maybe have some of those barriers to employment,” she said.

The programs are completely free, giving individuals opportunities for gainful employment, while also advocating for themselves in the workplace.

“They can help individuals get on-the-job training,” Carillo said. “They can help them by providing them funding to go back to school. There are all kinds of resources out there for individuals.”

For more information on reemployment and employer incentives visit the Nebraska Department of Labor website.