OMAHA- Officials in the state are looking to expand the Ignite Nebraska program, an Omaha-based workforce development program, after four students successfully completed the pilot program earlier this year. Gov. Pete Ricketts, alongside several other state officials, lauded the program and stressed the importance of helping working Nebraskans achieve financial stability.

"We have to recruit here, in our own backyard," said Tony Goins, Director of the State Department of Economic Development. Ignite Nebraska was implemented in February, and gave students the opportunity to complete a six- to nine-month program that taught them financial stability and job training. Gov. Ricketts said the four students who completed the pilot program in October saw their average salary rise by 136%.

One of the Ignite Nebraska graduates, Laura Croswell, said she is now able to plan and budget ahead on a month-to-month basis, rather than just live day-by-day. "Ignite Nebraska opens up so many doors for so many people," said Croswell. Following the success of the program in Omaha, Goins expressed interest in expanding the program to all corners of the state.

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