News

Southeast Community College joined the Nebraska State Chamber Foundation, the Nebraska Department of Labor, and the state’s five other community colleges on Monday, March 23 at the Nebraska State Capitol to announce a landmark workforce development initiative, the Nebraska Manufacturing Alliance Credential. This program establishes a statewide, stackable entry-level credential that creates a consistent industry-recognized standard across Nebraska.

“On March 3, SCC began our first cohort of students in the Nebraska Manufacturing Alliance Credential,” said Dr. Paul Illich, SCC president. “These 15 students are progressing through the necessary courses to earn their level one, pre-apprenticeship credential. This is the first of many industry credentials SCC is launching in collaboration with out Nebraska manufacturing partners.”

The credential is designed to eliminate the barriers that have historically kept motivated workers from entering manufacturing careers. The program, funded by $7 million from the state’s Workforce Development Program Cash Fund, is tuition-free and includes stipends to assist with transportation, childcare, and technology, and can be completed in just six to eight weeks by attending one class per week.

"The curriculum development was completely driven by manufacturers through multiple meetings to identify common competencies for both Level 1 and Level 2 micro-credentials," Dr. Illich said. "Each level contains an average of 162 contact hours and prepares individuals for entry-level manufacturing careers across a multitude of employers. Level one will qualify as a pre-apprenticeship, and we will have adult education and technical instructors working together to support student learning.”

Eligible participants include youth and high school-aged learners, adults working toward their GED, high school graduates, and working professionals looking to upskill or advance. The stackable credentials open pathways to higher wages and promotions. In addition, SCC’s role as a registered apprenticeship hub further extends the credential’s reach, connecting students directly to apprenticeship opportunities and job openings.

“This credential gives our students a fast, affordable pathway to jobs that are available right now,” Illich explained. “What makes this program so powerful is that it’s built around the specific needs of our region, with our local manufacturers helping shape the curriculum to make sure our graduates our prepared for the job on day one.”

With over 109,000 Nebraskans already employed in manufacturing, the state's second-largest industry, the demand for skilled workers is real and urgent. This initiative directly addresses that need by aligning training with employer demand, ensuring students don't just train, they get hired.

Nebraska Department of Labor Commissioner Katie Thurber emphasized the program's alignment with the Governor's Good Life, Great Careers initiative, which aims to add 6,000 new registered active apprentices in Nebraska by December 2030.

"This initiative is about meeting Nebraska's workforce needs head-on by providing flexible, accessible training for new workers, career-changers, and those looking to upskill," said Commissioner Thurber. "By making these standardized manufacturing credentials available, we're opening doors to rewarding careers and helping employers find the skilled talent they need to thrive."

Marc LeBaron, Chair of the Nebraska Chamber Foundation and CEO of Lincoln Industries, echoed the significance of the moment.

"This initiative strengthens Nebraska's talent pipeline by aligning training with employer demand, embedding pre-apprenticeship pathways into statewide systems,” said LeBaron. “This collaboration is a win for Nebraska.”

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