Voice Of Influence

Ignite Nebraska is an apprenticeship program fueling the way toward a more equitable future. Through this workforce development model, community partners, employers and educational institutions collaborate to provide paid apprenticeship opportunities with the promise of a full-time job offer in a high-demand, high-skilled, high-paying (H3) career for participants who successfully complete the program. Ignite Nebraska began with Joni Wheeler's desire to solve a far-reaching problem: Many people who are active in the workforce are under-resourced and cannot achieve financial stability. Despite working full time, they do not earn enough to move past financial barriers in their current jobs. This problem disproportionally impacts people of color, who are under-represented in H3 careers due to systemic inequalities. At the same time, employers often struggle to find talent to fill high-demand roles within their organizations.   Ignite Nebraska works to solve these challenges facing community members and business