Some folks at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska were looking for a way to help solve a shortage of tech workers while giving a helping hand to people who needed it. They came up with a program that does both!
Here are Five Fast Facts about Ignite Nebraska:
- 🆕💻 What Is It? The program was launched in February of this year in Omaha. It’s an apprenticeship that provides technical training for disadvantaged people of color in the area. No word about red Swingline staplers for each participant, but we can assume that’s part of the deal.
- 🧑💼 Who’s It For? BCBS found some folks who were on government assistance programs and were also motivated to elevate their careers. The first group of four students completed the program last month, and the second group (five students) launched in September. All aboard, this high speed train is leaving the station!
- 🏫 Who’s It With? BCBS partnered with Bellevue University to create and deliver the training, and works with other local agencies to overcome challenges like lack of transportation. These folks are problem solvers!
- 💵 Numbers, Please! The training is free for the students. At the start of the program they are paid $21/hr for 20 hours of work with Blue Cross. As their skills grow, their wages and hours grow, too, until they are offered full time positions with Blue Cross at the end of the program. Those positions range from $50-60k, and all four from the initial class accepted. If this isn’t the definition of win-win, we don’t know what is!
- 📈 What’s Next? BCBS is working to expand the program to other Nebraska cities, and setting up partnerships with half a dozen other companies. They are hoping to have around 30 people in the program by next spring. We’re not betting against them.
🔥Bottom line: This is all kinds of awesome! It’s lifting people up who are capable of great things but just need a bit of help to get started. It’s engaging local businesses and communities. It’s providing qualified people to fill key jobs in the local area (with good Paychecks!). What’s not to love?
Do you know anyone who would be interested in Ignite Nebraska?
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