LINCOLN- Gov.Pete Ricketts, in an attempt to interest more Nebraska teens in manufacturing and health care jobs, handed out two new grants. The grants, which were sent through the Ricketts-launched Developing Youth Talent Initiative, went to the companies MetalQuest and 21st Century Equipment. Each company received a grant equal to $125,000.

Since its establishment in 2015, the Initiative has reached nearly 24,500 students from 66 Nebraska school districts, giving teens the chance to begin careers in IT, manufacturing, and health care.

Tony Goins, director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, said that the state faces a "critical need" for workers, with about 50,000 vacant jobs. Scott Volk of MetalQuest, and Owen Palm of 21st Century Equipment, have nearly 50 vacant positions between the two companies, and each believes that interest in high-tech fields must be sparked in students at a young age.

The Developing Youth Talent Initiative has reportedly increased interest in high-tech careers from 39% to 75% after students at Sandy Creek and Lawrence-Nelson schools were exposed to some of the work being done at MetalQuest. Enrollment in science and technical skills classes has also increased, said Ricketts.

MetalQuest plans to use its grant to purchase new robotic equipment similar to what the company currently uses, and will utilize this to teach students about industrial robotics and coding.

21st Century Equipment will use its grant to construct a new mobile learning lab, which it hopes will inspire more teens to enter the field.

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