WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Since 2006, Platte County, where Columbus is the county seat, has grown its workforce by 7.98%, compared with the statewide growth of 5.22%. The next highest rate of 7.31% belonged to Buffalo County, with Kearney as the county seat (located on Interstate 80). From 2006 to 2020, approximately $150,000,000 in public investments has been committed. In 2014 alone, 4,994 Columbus alumni were contacted through various marketing efforts and 1,122 job seekers were reached through recruiting trips.
Credit for this growth can be attributed to the efforts of a Workforce Development program through the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce began as the “Drive for Five” or a drive for 500 new employees.
From the beginning of the Drive for Five in 2006-2007 until the start of the recession in 2008-2009, 440 new employees were added.
In the years since Drive for Five began, no first-class city in Nebraska has grown its labor force faster than Columbus. This is a testament to the power of a community working together to accomplish the critical work of building a sufficient, skilled workforce.
Download2016 D45 Annual Report
Program of Work
Workforce Development annually conducts an extensive program of work geared at connecting Columbus area employers with talent. Programs currently include:
- job fairs
- recruiting trips
- sharing online resumes across the sponsoring organizations
- using social media for job openings
- intern networking events
- contacts with job seekers and their families
- Discover Columbus Weekend, a summer guest program
- contacts with Columbus alumni
- community tours
School Business Partnerships
Through partnerships with Columbus Public and Lakeview Schools, we work closely with thousands of students throughout the year to get them career-ready during their time in high school.
This is achieved through a full slate of programs including:
- Reality 101
- Education in Industry
- Industry in Education
- Bank in Schools
- College Week
- Vehicle Day
- Columbus Dream Team
- Speakers Bureau service
Thank You to our 2019 Sponsors
ADM
AEL Credit Services
Associated Staffing, Inc.
BD Medical Systems
BD Pharmaceutical Systems
Behlen Mfg.Co
Berkshire Hathaway Premier Realty
Black Hills Energy
Cargill Meat Solutions
Cargill Protein
Central Confinement Service, Ltd.
City of Columbus
Columbus Community Hospital
Columbus Hydraulics
Black Hills Energy
Cargill Meat Solutions
Cargill Protein
Central Confinement Service, Ltd.
City of Columbus
Columbus Community Hospital
Columbus Hydraulics
Northwestern Mutual
Pillen Family Farms
Pinnacle Bank
Platte County Board of Supervisors
Preferred Sands of Genoa
Samson, LLC – Ramada Columbus
Valmont Utility