Youth employment pilot program considered

The Business and Labor Committee heard testimony on a bill Feb. 10 that seeks to provide employment opportunities for historically underserved youth in Nebraska.

LB45, introduced by Omaha Sen. Terrell McKinney, would create a grant program to provide job training, employment and mentorship opportunities to individuals under 18 who have experienced homelessness, live in low-income communities or been involved in the foster care or juvenile justice systems.

The state Department of Labor would be responsible for implementing the bill as a five-year pilot program in a metropolitan class city, a primary class city and two rural communities before expanding it statewide. Omaha currently is the state’s only metropolitan class city and Lincoln is the only primary class city.

The bill states legislative intent to appropriate $20 million annually from the Nebraska Training and Support Cash Fund to carry out the program. Grants would be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to community organizations that commit to providing paid opportunities to historically underserved youth.

The department also would be required to compile a comprehensive evaluation of the pilot program, including successes, obstacles and recommendations before expanding the program.

Tim Clark, chairperson of the Nebraska African American Affairs Commission, spoke in support of the bill. Many businesses across the state struggle to fill critical positions, Clark said, while underserved youth experience significant barriers to employment and career growth. The proposal would directly address both those challenges by providing industry-recognized training opportunities, he said.

“LB45 fosters a direct connection between youth and employers — ensuring long-term career growth, not just short-term employment,” Clark said.

Nadia Spurlock also testified in support of the proposal, sharing the impact a similar youth employment program, Step-Up Omaha, had on her career development. Spurlock said she learned important job skills through that program and connected with local businesses in her area of interest, eventually leading to employment when she graduated.

“The same impact can be expanded across the state of Nebraska with additional support and collaboration,” Spurlock said.

No one testified in opposition to LB45 and the committee took no immediate action.