MHEC Grant to Support Design of Nebraska System that Aligns Higher Education and Workforce Needs
The Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC) has awarded a Nebraska multi-partner collaborative a $250,000 grant to design a unified, statewide system that aligns learning achievements with workforce needs and connects employers to skilled jobseekers.
The Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL) will lead the design of the system, collaborating with the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education, the University of Nebraska System, the Nebraska State College System, the state’s six community colleges, tribal colleges, and the Nebraska Department of Education.
In its first phase, the project will connect educational providers in Nebraska to a statewide credential registry that will translate the credentials students earn into skills received. Education partners with essential expertise in curriculum, credential development, and academic governance will input the credentials they offer and map them to their value for both students and employers. The second phase will focus on connecting skilled talent to workforce needs by giving employers access to accurate, skills-based job descriptions and to students in Nebraska’s education system.
“Nebraska needs a better way to connect skilled workers with the jobs waiting for them,” said Labor Commissioner Katie Thurber. “Right now, the system is too fragmented. Employers can’t find the talent they need, and jobseekers don’t have clear paths into high‑demand careers. We are looking to foster more connections between education providers and employers. This new system will cut costs and reduce friction by making career pathways easier to navigate.”
MHEC’s Strategic Impact and Innovation Grants support high-impact, collaborative initiatives that address state needs and that align with the MHEC’s vision to strengthen postsecondary education and advance regional economic vitality. Each of MHEC’s 12 member states can apply for a grant for up to $250,000.
“Aligning workforce needs with postsecondary education is one of MHEC’s top priorities,” said Susan G. Heegaard, MHEC President. “This proposal from partners in Nebraska’s labor and higher education systems has the potential to have a tremendous impact on the state’s workforce development. We believe Nebraska can be a model for other states as well.”