Skills Gap Study Finds High Quality Workforce, Skilled Labor Shortage

A new Skills Gap Report shows that Lincoln’s workforce is meeting many business needs, while it also indicates a shortage of workers in some skilled blue collar occupations. The report was prepared by Dr. Eric Thompson, Director of the University of Nebraska’s Bureau of Business Research, and commissioned by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and the Nebraska Department of Labor (dol.nebraska.gov) . Results from studies conducted by the two agencies were examined for the report, the Lincoln Labor Availability Survey and the Make It Work for Lincoln Survey of business needs.

“Results show that Lincoln’s workforce provides most employers with a quality workforce that largely matches the skills that local employers need,” said Dave Dearmont, Research Administrator for the Department of Economic Development. “In those areas where there are shortages, the results indicate the education and training needed to improve the Lincoln workforce.”

Lincoln Public Schools, SCC, and the community at large have partnered in a Career Academy initiative. “The Career Academy will develop a pipeline of students pursuing career and technical programs in order to directly address the gap between demand for qualified workers in technical fields and the availability of professionally-trained workers,” Thompson said.

An Omaha Skills Gap Report will be released in the spring.  The Lincoln report and Labor Availability reports for Lincoln and Omaha can be obtained at neworks.nebraska.gov under the Labor Market Information Publications link (Nebraska Labor Availability Studies).

For more information on the Nebraska Department of Labor visit dol.nebraska.gov.