News

Southeast Community College celebrated the first cohort of students to complete the Nebraska Manufacturing Alliance Credential during a recognition event on Thursday, June 25. The celebration honored 10 students who finished 162 hours of training over 17 weeks to earn a Level 1 credential and connected them directly with manufacturers looking to hire.

“We are celebrating much more than the completion of a training program,” said Amy Chesley, SCC dean of Continuing Education. “We are celebrating opportunity, growth, and the investment each one of these students made in their future. All of them committed their time, energy, and effort to learn new skills and prepare for new possibilities. That is something to be proud of.”

NeMAC is a stackable, entry-level credential created though a partnership between the Nebraska State Chamber Foundation, the state’s six community colleges, and the Nebraska Department of Labor. The program delivers employer-designed training across eight modules covering workplace safety, quality control, manufacturing metrics, tool use and measurement, workplace communication, problem solving, and the foundations of lean manufacturing. Students complete the credential tuition-free and can continue on to earn Level 2 and Level 3 manufacturing certificates.

The credential responds to a significant workforce need. More than 109,000 Nebraskans work in manufacturing, and employers across the state report tens of thousands of open positions. Because the curriculum was shaped by Nebraska manufacturers, graduates leave prepared to step into available roles and registered apprenticeships in their region.

“Manufacturing plays a vital role in Nebraska’s economy and future workforce,” Chesley said. “The community colleges in Nebraska worked with the manufacturing industry to design a credential program which benefits everyone. This commitment reflects how strongly Nebraska believes in developing its workforce and creating opportunities for individuals to succeed.”

Students graduating with the Certificate of Completion – Nebraska Manufacturing Credential Level 1 include:

• Sara Abdalla
• Adam Bold
• Griss Byamungu
• Gabriel Carmichael
• William Lesiak
• Khalilullah Sahak
• Hanif Salih
• Danilo Vasquez
• Arno Von Wielligh
• Ivan Wilks

In addition to receiving their certificates, the graduates had an opportunity to explore employment or apprenticeship opportunities with local manufacturers including Collins Aerospace, Kawasaki, Timpte, MetalWorks Inc., Lincoln Industries, and Klute.

Jennifer Snyder
Communications Specialist
402-323-3393
jsnyder@southeast.edu