Employer Partners | Ignite Nebraska
For Employer Partners

A talent partner built
for real outcomes.

118% average income growth for alumni after securing employment

We're a Nebraska 501(c)(3) nonprofit building the state's next generation of skilled talent — founded in Omaha and now expanding to Lincoln, with more Nebraska communities on the way. We fund the training. You invest in wages. Together we solve the entry-level hiring problem with pre-trained, Navigator-supported talent across four career pathways.

Join the Employer Partner Network View Training Offerings
Growing Across Nebraska

Founded in Omaha, Nebraska — and now expanding statewide. We're actively building our employer network in Lincoln, with more Nebraska communities on the way. Our 19 founding Employer Partners — including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, FNBO, and Children's Nebraska — are already hiring Ignite-trained talent, and Lincoln employers are next.

19 Founding Employer Partners

Blue Cross Blue Shield NE
FNBO
QLI
AOI Corporation
Nebraska DHHS
Education Rights Counsel
Children's Nebraska
Security National Bank
Midwest Eye Care
OneWorld Community Health Centers
Nesco Resource
Pinnacle Bank
Child Saving Institute
T&M Services
Cobalt Credit Union
Investors Realty, Inc.
Immanuel Communities
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands
Firework Media Studio (XRenegades)

Four pathways, one network

10×10
5-week career readiness accelerator for entry-level professional roles — now running in Omaha and Lincoln.
Ignite Health
CNA pathway preparing candidates for healthcare careers.
Ignite Tech
6-month paid IT apprenticeship — Help Desk, Data, and Data Center tracks.
Ignite Works
Trade apprenticeship referral model, launching 2027.

Roles our graduates are ready to fill

IT Help Desk Data Analyst Customer Service Admin Support Banking & Finance Sales Support CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) Case Management Patient Services Skilled Trades

The Problems We Solve

Your hiring challenges.
Our solution.

Nebraska employers face real workforce challenges. Ignite Nebraska is built specifically to address them — with pre-trained talent, Navigator wraparound support, and a partnership model that puts retention first.

Challenge
High Turnover

New hires leave within months, draining productivity, morale, and budget.

Our Solution
Navigator wraparound support continues through onboarding and post-hire — keeping new employees barrier-busted and retained.
Challenge
Narrow Talent Pool

Nebraska employers compete over the same résumés, slowing time-to-fill and limiting diversity.

Our Solution
Rolling cohorts across four pathways give you a fresh, diverse, pre-screened talent pipeline — people you wouldn't find anywhere else.
Challenge
Costly Upskilling

New staff need extensive training before they can contribute — expensive and slow.

Our Solution
Real-world soft and technical skills built before day one. Ignite covers all training costs — you pay wages and start productive work immediately.

How It Works

Simple. Three steps.

We handle the sourcing, training, and Navigator support. You focus on finding the right fit and bringing them on board.

  1. 1
    Tell Us Your Hiring Needs
    Book a 30-minute discovery call. Share your entry-level roles, skills needed, and growth pathways. We align our training pipeline to your actual workforce needs.
  2. 2
    Meet Your Candidates
    Review vetted profiles and interview pre-trained candidates from our talent pool. All final hiring decisions rest entirely with your organization.
  3. 3
    Hire and Retain — With Support
    Wages-only cost to you. Ignite Navigators provide post-hire wraparound support through onboarding — removing barriers, supporting your new employee, and improving early retention.

From a Partner

"Look at the person. Talk to the person. If they feel like a fit, hire them — the risk is so much less, and the benefit is so much more."

DM
Daragh Mahon
EVP & Chief Information Officer, Werner Enterprises

After hiring Jonathan through Ignite Tech, Werner's team came back asking for more. 🎙 Listen on Spotify →

Our graduates — Omaha, Lincoln & across Nebraska

Ignite Nebraska graduates
Ignite Nebraska graduation
Ignite Nebraska graduates at ceremony

From Our Graduates

The people you'll be hiring.

Every Ignite graduate brings real preparation — and a story worth knowing.

Jonathan, Ignite Tech Graduate at Werner Enterprises
"

"They made it easy to start fresh. I've always wanted to work in IT, but I was never given the opportunity — until now. Their support helped me make the transition, showing it's never too late to learn and do something new."

JO
Jonathan
Ignite Tech Graduate · Werner Enterprises
Eric Z., Ignite Graduate at Boys Town
"

"Ignite Nebraska has followed through with their mission to transform potential into real opportunities. They gave me genuine support and life skills as I progress in all my goals. I'm grateful for everyone at Ignite!"

EZ
Eric Z.
Ignite Graduate · Boys Town

Common Questions

Employer FAQs

Is there a cost for employers to partner with Ignite?
No training fees — ever. Employer partners pay wages during the program period. Ignite covers all training, coaching, and Navigator support costs. We're a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded through foundations, corporate sponsors, and individual donors.
What roles can Ignite participants fill?
10×10 graduates are prepared for entry-level professional roles: Customer Service, Administrative Support, Data Entry, Sales Support, and Banking & Finance. Ignite Tech graduates are prepared for IT Help Desk and Data Analyst roles. Ignite Health graduates are certified CNAs. Ignite Works (launching 2027) prepares candidates for skilled trades. We can also tailor cohorts to your specific hiring needs.
Does Ignite place candidates in roles at our company?
No — Ignite prepares candidates and introduces them to your team. We coordinate the introduction and support the hiring process, but all final hiring decisions rest entirely with your organization. We're a talent development partner.
What makes Ignite different from other talent solutions?
We go beyond sourcing. Our candidates arrive with real-world soft and technical skills already developed, supported by a dedicated Navigator through onboarding, and backed by a team that stays engaged post-hire. We're invested in your retention outcomes — because that's our proof of impact.
How long does Navigator support last after a hire?
Navigator wraparound support continues for 90 days post-hire for 10×10 graduates and through the full 6-month apprenticeship for Ignite Tech participants. Navigators support both your new employee and your onboarding process — removing barriers and keeping new hires engaged and productive.
Are you only for large companies?
Not at all. Our 19 founding Employer Partners range from large enterprises to small and mid-sized organizations across Nebraska, spanning healthcare, banking, non-profit, and trades. We tailor the partnership to your hiring volume and timeline — whether you're looking to hire one person or build a regular pipeline.
What's the ask if I become an Employer Partner?
One thing: a guaranteed first-round interview for qualified Ignite graduates who apply to your open roles. No hiring guarantees — just a real conversation. The decision is always yours.
Do you work with employers outside Omaha?
Yes. We're actively expanding statewide — our 10×10 program is now running in Lincoln in addition to Omaha, and we're building our employer network there right alongside it. If you're a Lincoln-area employer, now is a great time to get in early as we grow in your community.

By the Numbers

Results your organization
will notice.

Outcomes tracked across all Ignite Nebraska cohorts and pathways.

118%
Average income growth for alumni after securing employment
$0
Training fees — wages-only cost to employer partners
19
Founding Employer Partners already hiring through the network