After continued success and expansion of course offerings, the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development (LPED) extends congratulations to the recent graduates of the Lincoln Manufacturing Council’s Manufacturing Skills Certificate program.

The Manufacturing Skills Certificate is a 60-hour educational program from the Lincoln Manufacturing Council developed in partnership with Southeast Community College and is funded by an ARPA Workforce Development Grant from the City of Lincoln. The curriculum was designed and taught by Kevin Dunkle, an instructor through SCC Continuing Education and The Career Academy. The certificate is intended for individuals with some manufacturing experience interested in growing their skills in order to find career growth and stability. The certificate serves as the sequel to LMC’s flagship Manufacturing Basics Certificate, intended for individuals with no prior experience in manufacturing.

Ten students graduated from the inaugural course with their certificates on October 5, and all ten were sponsored by their employers. The classes were held on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at The Career Academy, with the curriculum including three modules in Industrial Math, Blueprint Reading and Measurement and Manufacturing. 

“This program is a great opportunity to upskill current and prospective employees who have a high potential that outpaces their current job,” says Chloe Higgins, workforce development project administrator for the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development and the Lincoln Manufacturing Council. 

“We are providing great opportunities through LMC to Lincoln’s manufacturing workforce and building stronger manufacturers in the process,” Higgins concludes.

Manufacturing employers can be assured that these employees will bring increased knowledge and experience to their roles as they were tested for their proficiency at each module. By completing all modules of the program, the ten graduates received the LMC Manufacturing Skills Certificate, which will be recognized by local employers as designating a skilled manufacturing professional.

“We are using a state-of-the-art machining training facility, with current curriculum content to help current employees become a more knowledgeable and better prepared employee in the job setting in today’s workforce,” notes Kevin Dunkle, Instructor of Precision Machining at Southeast Community College and The Career Academy.

In the future, this program will be offered to both community members with past entry-level manufacturing experience and to current entry-level manufacturing employees. Students in the course are paid for their participation time and following the training, several of the graduates received promotions and raises because of the knowledge learned and skills gained.

“The introduction to careers in manufacturing opens a variety of paths for prospective employees, and the growth of the LMC program only enhances the ability of our local manufacturers to fill needed jobs and strengthen their operations. This first Level 2 class was successful because of the results and outcomes we have seen with Level 1 since its implementation, showing just how important the need is to connect people to career opportunities with our local manufacturers,” says Luke Peltz, Vice President for the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development.

The Lincoln Manufacturing Certificate Level 1 is offered through a six-session class for under or unemployed individuals with no previous experience in manufacturing. The locally-recognized certificate provides graduates with skills and relationships for success in an entry-level manufacturing career. Since 2019, over 170 people have graduated with their Level 1 certificate and now ten have graduated with their Level 2 certificate.

“Growing Lincoln’s workforce and helping our residents attain meaningful, financially secure careers is a top priority as we work to grow Lincoln’s vibrant economy. Through our investment of ARPA dollars in workforce development training grants, these ten graduates are reentering the workforce with a new set of skills that will further their careers and meet the needs of local employers,” says Leirion Gaylor Baird, Mayor of Lincoln.

For more details on the Lincoln Manufacturing Council and the participating businesses that comprise the LMC, visit lincolnmanufacturingcouncil.org.  

For more information on the program, contact Chloe Higgins, Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development, at (402) 436-2366 or chiggins@selectlincoln.org.