Ignite Employer Partner Network
Hiring is noisy.
Nebraska talent deserves
access to careers.
Let's fix both.
Ignite Nebraska connects employers across the state — from health systems and tech companies to trades contractors and business operations teams — to pre-screened, coached, career-ready candidates. Founded in Omaha, now expanding to Lincoln. We stay with you before, during, and after every hire.
The Ignite Employer Partner Network exists because hiring is noisy — and Nebraska talent deserves access to careers.
What Partners Get
A Nebraska talent partnership
built for employers who hire well
For for-profit companies, healthcare systems, tech firms, trades contractors, and nonprofits alike — if you hire for entry-level and early-career roles, this network is for you.
Pre-screened, job-ready candidates
Every Ignite referral has been matched to your role, coached on the application, and prepared to show up ready to contribute.
Guaranteed first-round interview
Employer partners commit to offering strongly aligned Ignite candidates a first-round interview. No resume piles. Just pre-vetted people worth your time — and a partner who has already done the screening work.
A Navigator walking alongside your new hire
Every Ignite candidate has a dedicated Navigator supporting them through the interview process, onboarding, and up to 6 months after hire — helping remove the real-life barriers that derail good employees: childcare, transportation, state benefits, and more.
Dedicated Ignite contact
Your Ignite contact checks in twice a month on open referrals and upcoming recs — staying ahead of your hiring needs so you don't have to.
Hiring priority — think Ignite first
As a network partner, you have early access to Ignite's rolling pipeline of candidates before roles even hit your job board.
An endorsement you can trust
Ignite partnership signals to Nebraska's workforce and community that you're serious about giving local talent a real shot at a career.
Partnership Milestone
After your third hire,
unlock something more.
Make your third Ignite hire, and you unlock a facilitated soft skills training for your team — not a perk, but a partnership milestone that recognizes your investment in Nebraska's workforce.
Ignite-facilitated 3-hour soft skills training
Available for up to 25 employees. Facilitated by Ignite Nebraska's team. Designed to strengthen the workforce you're building together.
Unlocks at your 3rd hireThe Ignite Difference
Your entry-level talent
insurance policy.
Every Ignite candidate is prepared, supported, and arrives with a dedicated Navigator already in their corner. Whether they've completed one of our intensive program tracks or are part of our Catalyze Talent pool — working adults actively pursuing careers that lift them into sustainable futures — they're backed by a real person whose job is to make sure they succeed.
That Navigator stays active through the interview, onboarding, and up to 6 months after hire — removing the real-life barriers that cause good employees to disengage: childcare, transportation, state benefits, and more. When life gets hard, Ignite helps your employee stay steady so your team doesn't feel it.
Prepared through program or Catalyze
About 80% of Ignite candidates complete an intensive program track. The rest come through our Catalyze Talent pool — working adults actively pursuing a career change toward long-term stability. Both pathways lead to the same rigorous vetting and Navigator support.
Navigator support through the interview
Before your candidate ever walks in the door, their Navigator has helped them prepare, coached them on your role, and made sure nothing in their life is standing between them and a great first impression.
Real-life barrier removal — up to 6 months post-hire
Childcare. Transportation. State benefits. Whatever could get in the way of your new hire showing up at their best — Ignite Navigators help solve it. That's the retention advantage you can't get anywhere else.
The Process
How the network works
From your first form submission to a retained hire. Click any step to learn more.
You join the network
Complete the partner form to get started. Share your career page and common entry-level roles — even ones not yet posted. You'll be assigned a dedicated Ignite contact right away.
Ignite monitors your job board — and stays in touch
We check your career page regularly for roles aligned to our program tracks. Your dedicated Ignite contact also reaches out twice a month on open referrals and upcoming recs — so we're ahead of your hiring needs, not chasing them.
We match and prepare candidates
Every role is reviewed against our participant profiles — skills, readiness, interest, and alignment. Only strong matches are referred. We never send volume. We send the right people.
Participants apply intentionally
Matched participants are notified, coached by their Navigator, and supported in applying. They know exactly why Ignite matched them to your opening — and they arrive prepared.
You receive a candidate update
When an Ignite participant applies to your open role, you get a direct notification with a candidate summary and our match recommendation. No digging through applications — we surface them for you.
Ignite supports retention after hire
Your new hire's Navigator stays active for up to 6 months post-hire — helping with childcare, transportation, state benefits, and whatever else could get in the way of them showing up at their best. When life gets hard, Ignite helps your employee stay steady.
Common Questions
What employers ask us
Is this really free — for employers and job seekers?
Yes — completely. No fees, no retainers, no placement costs. The Ignite Employer Partner Network is free for employers to join and always free for participants. Our programs are funded through grants and partnerships so the pipeline costs you nothing.
How does Ignite prescreen candidates?
Most Ignite candidates complete one of our four intensive program tracks before entering the pipeline. Others come through our Catalyze Talent pool — adults who may be working full-time but are actively seeking a career that lifts them into long-term stability. Every candidate, regardless of pathway, is verified as locally based, assessed for job readiness, matched to roles based on skills and alignment, and supported by a dedicated Navigator. Only Strong or Good matches are ever referred to employers.
What does the interview commitment actually mean?
When Ignite refers a strongly aligned candidate, you commit to offering that candidate a first-round interview. This is not a hiring guarantee and does not require you to lower your standards. It simply means Ignite-referred candidates who meet your basic criteria get a fair look — the same opportunity any qualified candidate deserves.
What if I already have a hiring process in place?
Keep it exactly as-is. Ignite works inside your existing hiring process — we monitor your job board, identify aligned roles, and notify you when a prepared Ignite candidate applies. You don't change anything. We just make sure the right people are already in your pipeline.
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.
Program Tracks
Candidates prepared across four pathways
Most Ignite candidates complete an intensive program track. Others come through our Catalyze Talent pool — working adults actively pursuing a career change. All are vetted, supported, and Navigator-backed.
Ignite Tech
IT Help Desk · Data Visualization · Data Center Operations
Ignite Health
CNA · CMA · Phlebotomy · Healthcare Support
Ignite Works
Trades · Apprenticeships · Public Works · Infrastructure
Launching 202710x10
Admin Support · HR · Billing · Customer Service · Banking · Financial Services
Omaha & LincolnPartner Commitment
Two things. That's all we ask.
No fees. No retainer. No exclusivity. Just two straightforward commitments that make the partnership real.
Commitment 01
First-round interview for strongly aligned candidates
When Ignite refers a strongly aligned candidate to your organization, you commit to offering that candidate a first-round interview. This is not a hiring guarantee — it's a commitment to giving prepared, local talent a fair shot.
Commitment 02
Twice-monthly check-ins on open referrals and upcoming recs
Your dedicated Ignite contact will reach out twice a month to check in on open referrals and get ahead of your upcoming hiring needs. We ask that you respond — even briefly — so we can serve you well.
No costs.
Just partner with us in giving our participants a chance at a meaningful career.
The People You'll Be Hiring
Real Nebraska talent.
Real outcomes.
Every graduate brings real preparation — and a story worth knowing.
"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."
Graduation days — Omaha, Nebraska
Lincoln's first cohort graduates later this year — check back for photos from our newest community.
Already Hiring Through The Network
19 Founding Employer Partners
These organizations committed to the Employer Partner Network from the very beginning — shaping how it works, and giving Ignite graduates a real first-round interview. Founding Member status is permanent and limited to these 19. Every new partner gets the same pre-screened candidates, Navigator support, and priority access — the one difference is the soft skills training unlock: Founding Members unlock it at their 1st hire, Network Members at their 3rd.
Join as a Network Member
Founding Member status has closed, but Network Members get every core benefit above — pre-screened candidates, Navigator support, and priority access — free, starting day one.
Ready to Join?
Join the Ignite
Employer Partner Network
Ignite Nebraska is a Nebraska-based workforce development nonprofit helping people build careers that lead to economic stability and beyond — founded in Omaha, now expanding to Lincoln. Fill out the form below to join the network. We'll be in touch.
Complete the Partner Form →