Greater Omaha’s workforce supports businesses across manufacturing, finance, technology, professional services and numerous other industries. As employers grow and their needs change, the region keeps working with them to develop the skills that come next.

The Greater Omaha Chamber’s Workforce Excellence efforts support that work through employer collaboration, recruitment and employee development. Businesses help identify workforce challenges and shape responses alongside education and training partners.

Preparing workers for manufacturing jobs

Nebraska Manufacturing Alliance Credential — Level 1

A manufacturing employer needs people who understand safety, quality and how to work effectively on a production floor. The NeMAC Level 1 credential builds that foundation through eight modules covering skills such as tool use, blueprint reading, workplace communication and problem-solving.

Manufacturers help shape the training, which is delivered through Nebraska’s community colleges, including Metropolitan Community College. It prepares new workers, career changers and employees adding to their skills.

For employers: An industry-recognized foundation for job-specific training, developed with input from manufacturers.

Developing skills around a business’s needs

Metropolitan Community College Workforce Education

New equipment, changing processes and growing teams can create new training needs. MCC works directly with businesses to develop customized training around those priorities.

Its workforce education offerings include new-hire training, employee development, professional certifications and open-enrollment programs.

For employers: A local training partner that can help employees develop the skills their business needs as it grows.

Showing what future employees can do

University of Nebraska at Omaha Skills Lab

Employers need to understand how a candidate’s education translates into workplace abilities. UNO’s Skills Lab uses labor market data and employer insights to identify in-demand skills and inform how students develop them.

Students demonstrate skills through academic work assessed against defined standards. Digital skill badges make those verified abilities visible to employers.

For employers: Evidence of practical skills, with workforce needs helping guide what students learn and demonstrate.

Bringing business experience into education

Creighton University’s Heider College of Business

Applying business knowledge requires practice. At Creighton, business professionals bring workplace experience into the classroom, helping students understand the decisions and challenges they will encounter on the job.

Coursework and hands-on learning develop analytical thinking, collaboration and the ability to put knowledge into action.

For employers: Future professionals whose preparation includes practical business experience and perspectives from the workplace.

Building skills on the job

Heartland Workforce Solutions

Some skills are best developed while doing the work. Heartland Workforce Solutions helps employers explore on-the-job training, customized training assistance and registered apprenticeship resources.

Eligible businesses and participants may qualify for partial wage reimbursement while new employees learn their roles.

For employers: Support for hiring and training people around the requirements of an actual job.

A region that keeps working on workforce

These are only some of the ways Greater Omaha prepares people for work and helps employers develop their teams. The Chamber’s broader workforce efforts also address talent recruitment, retention and emerging business needs—bringing employers together to help shape the region’s response.

For companies considering relocation or expansion, that means an established workforce and partners committed to developing it.