Published 3/29/2016
NAC48 project gains momentum with employment skills focus
The Northwest 48th Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC48) has taken valuable steps toward its goal to improve employability and career paths for residents of the Arnold neighborhood community. The NAC48 project aims to increase resident awareness of what jobs are available. With that intent, representatives from three of Lincoln’s largest employers – Duncan Aviation, Kawasaki and Lincoln Industries – met with the Council in November 2016 to share what technical and soft skills their prospective employees need. The reps also identified positions they struggle to hire and keep filled.
It was a great opportunity for the NAC48 team, which is supplementing its research with a resident employment survey. The survey asks questions such as “If you want to work full-time, what prevents you from doing so?” and “What type of training do you need to move up in your job or get a new job?”
The responses will influence NAC48’s plan to hold a career fair with local industrial and tech companies in a spring 2017 for residents to explore nearby career opportunities. Following the career fair, a series of adult learning workshops focusing on topics such as basic employability and computer skills, crafting a resume, job hunting in a social media age, etc., will be coordinated through a partnership with Southeast Community College.
Making intentional employment connections for residents in their neighborhood is a key project focus. Read on to learn how this all came about.
It started in March 2016…
Inspiration to Lift Lincoln Higher was found at a March 2016 Arnold Community School Event – “Vision What’s Possible.” Parents, Arnold Elementary staff, community members and local organizations brainstormed ways to improve their school and community around Prosper Lincoln’s three priority areas.
Prior to the brainstorm, Dustin Petrik, a member of the NW 48th School/Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC48) and the Prosper Lincoln Steering Committee, provided an overview of Prosper Lincoln’s shared community agenda.
Martha Ostrom, Early Childhood Resource Teacher, spoke about Arnold Elementary’s Preschool program.
James Prater of Duncan Aviation and Andy Unterseher of Nebraska Global shared details on the skills their employees need, and the professional development available to grow a successful career within their businesses. Andy also described innovation at Nebraska Global.
Kudos to the NW 48th School/Neighborhood Advisory Committee, especially Dayna Krannawitter, for leading this opportunity to determine their top priorities and actions for the next 1-2 years.
Can you Vision What’s Possible if all sectors in our city – businesses, nonprofit organizations, neighborhoods, government, faith communities, education, philanthropies and individuals – gather to answer, “What should our community do to ensure youth are successful, our economy grows and our community is strong and vibrant?”
