New Report Highlights Workforce Strengths and Outlines Strategic Priorities for 2026 and Beyond

Lincoln, NE — The Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL) has released a report titled Building Nebraska’s Future Workforce: A Statewide Landscape Assessment. The report presents a comprehensive outline of both the state’s considerable strengths and the critical opportunities ahead.

Report findings came in part from a recent employer survey conducted by the Department of Labor, which asked about workforce development topics including apprenticeships, AI, and collaboration with educational institutions. The Department also conducted a comprehensive inventory of workforce development programs and educational institutions. NDOL’s labor availability studies were also utilized in the report analysis.

“Nebraska has one of the strongest workforce systems in the nation,” said Commissioner of Labor Katie Thurber. “Sustaining and building on Nebraska’s momentum requires deliberate, coordinated action. That is why I am committed to strengthening the connections between Nebraska's employers, education systems, and workforce programs in a way that is practical, regionally responsive, and built for the long term.”

The assessment notes that Nebraska’s workforce programs span multiple agencies and regions. This allows tailoring of programs to each area’s needs, but can also create complexity and fragmentation that can limit efficiency and outcomes.

Additional challenges—including uneven employer familiarity with apprenticeships, regional differences in labor market conditions, and the rapid emergence of artificial intelligence in the workplace—underscore the need for a more unified and intentional approach.

Rather than calling for new systems, the report emphasizes the importance of strengthening and aligning what already exists. Key opportunities include improving governance and coordination across agencies, expanding apprenticeship awareness and adoption, deepening employer‑education partnerships, and integrating practical AI training to prepare workers and businesses for technological change.

These efforts support the state’s Good Life, Great Careers goal of creating 6,000 new apprentices by 2030, while reinforcing Nebraska’s long‑standing leadership in workforce participation and economic resilience.

Key Findings and Opportunities
-Improved coordination and governance across agencies and regions
-Expanded apprenticeship awareness and adoption, supporting the goal of 6,000 new apprentices by 2030
-Stronger employer‑education partnerships to align training with real‑time labor market needs
-Practical AI training and support to help workers and businesses adapt to technological change

“With continued investment in education and training systems, Nebraska is well positioned to strengthen talent pipelines, support long‑term economic growth, and expand opportunities for communities across the state,” Thurber said. “The Good Life is open for business.”

NDOL news releases are accessible at www.dol.nebraska.gov.