LINCOLN — In Arkansas, enrollment in technology-related college courses increased 10-fold after the state passed a requirement that school kids pass computer-related classes.

“Now, they have companies moving there because they have skilled workers,” said Mike Cassling, the CEO of an Omaha health care tech firm.

Cassling is among advocates for a bill that passed on Tuesday, April 12 that provides for increases in computer technology courses. The bill would require graduates of Nebraska high schools to pass at least one five-credit-hour course in computer science or technology.

He said Nebraska has a workforce "crisis," marked by a workforce shortage of 4,000 in the tech sector and is expected to rise to 10,000 by 2026.

The shortage is comprised of more than just computer programmers, such as cybersecurity workers, and skilled employees who can run automated manufacturing systems and manage high-tech agricultural operations.

On Tuesday, state senators gave 33-11 final approval to Legislative Bill 1112, the Computer Science and Technology Act. The bill gives schools until the 2024-25 school year to implement computer science and technology classes into their curriculum.

While some senators argued that the bill is an "unfunded mandate," others said it was necessary to ensure that Nebraska and Nebraskans are not left behind in the future.

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