Governor Jim Pillen is calling for more Nebraska students to pursue skilled careers, saying young people have been given too narrow a view of what it means to be successful after high school.
Pillen made the comments Thursday while highlighting Jobs for America’s Graduates, a program that connects students with career opportunities, employers and workforce training.
“We’ve blown it for the last 25 years,” Pillen says “Telling our kids that if they didn’t go to college, they’re not successful.”
Pillen pointed to community colleges and skilled trades as alternatives to traditional four-year degrees. He highlighted the example of Aiden Richardson, a former Wood River High School student who participated in JAG and is now training to become a diesel technician at Southeast Community College in Milford.
Richardson said a JAG job-shadowing experience with Landmark led to a full-time job after high school, a full-ride scholarship to Southeast Community College and a commitment for a full-time position after he graduates.
Pillen says expanding those connections is important to Nebraska’s future workforce. He also pointed to increased state investment in community colleges, saying the state has provided $350 million in funding as part of its effort to strengthen workforce development.