FutureForce was originally created in June 2004 as WEWIN (Workforce and Education Willing to Invest in Nebraska).  The movement was initiated by Dennis Tyson, Rich Katt and Larry Scherer in the wake of the 2004 Governor’s Forum as a response to the perceived need for a neutral, third party entity to coordinate the workforce development efforts of private industry, government agencies and educational institutions.

Over the past three years, the shape of the organization has changed and evolved, but continues work on the group’s original purpose, namely the development of a highly skilled workforce in Nebraska. The following milestones provide a brief overview of FutureForce’s activities from its inception to the present day. If you are interested in becoming a part of this organization, please contact Trish Souliere or Randy Vlasin.

2004

May

• Educational and state leaders attend National Governors Forum

June

• WEWIN (Workforce and Education Willing to Invest in Nebraska) is founded by Dennis Tyson, Rich Katt and Larry Scherer after the Governor’s Forum.

July

• Policy Leadership Team is formed – First meeting held in Lincoln with Key leaders from state agencies, education, and business & industry attending

October

• Structures and Roles developed for WEWIN
• The Nebraska Career Fields/Cluster framework from the Nebraska Department of Education is adopted.
• Health Sciences pathway developed by Central Community College, Grand Island/Kearney High Schools and NDE is adopted as the model.

November

• Presentation to Workforce Investment Board at Governor’s Summit
• Industrial Manufacturing pathway identified; pilot schools selected for regions of Columbus and Norfolk
• Funding approved from Nebraska Department of Education, Perkins Grant
• New Name – FutureForce Nebraska®
• FutureForce goals identified; Action Plan finalized

December

• Congressman Tom Osborne contacts Community College CIOs regarding entrepreneurship. FutureForce adopts Entrepreneurship as a new pathway
• Department of Economic Development provides information on targeted industries to guide pathway development
• FutureForce website is developed

2005

January

• Governor endorses FutureForce project

March

• Process for pathway startup and approval is developed
• Transportation, Distribution, Warehousing & Logistics (TDWL) pathway is approved by FutureForce Steering Committee

April

• FutureForce presenters at Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education Board meeting in Norfolk

May

• FutureForce Nebraska becomes a registered trademark

June

• FutureForce presents at Nebraska Career Education Conference
• FutureForce Entrepreneurship Pathway is presented at the National Career Clusters Institute in Phoenix
• FutureForce sponsors a team of Nebraska leaders to attend the Career Cluster Institute
• 2nd Annual Leadership Team meeting at the Cornhusker in Lincoln
• Nebraska Career Management System website to tie with FutureForce
• New FutureForce materials are revised and produced

July

• “Nebraska Transports the Future” workshop hosted by Central Community College to teachers and counselors – Hastings, Grand Island

August

• Business Needs Assessment is developed for TDWL pathway
• FutureForce initiatives connect with school counseling to provide information about careers here in Nebraska

September

• Workforce Development Career Center flyers developed – focusing on Diesel Mechanics, Truck Driving, Health Care Sciences and Welding Presentation at Nebraska Trucking Association

October

• FutureForce meets with regional Tech Prep coordinators meeting to align efforts in curriculum alignment and transition

November

• Presentation at Governor’s Summit

December

• Construction pathway added to FutureForce initiative

2006

April

• LB690 passed by Nebraska Legislature to provide support for Nebraska Career Education Innovation – the bill provides grant dollars to collaborate with the work of FutureForce.
• FutureForce in cooperation with the Coordinating Commission is awarded a $300,000 grant to implement the State Scholars Initiative in Nebraska.

May

• FutureForce Executive Board is created.  Operational policies and procedures begin to be developed
• Presentation to Great Nebraska Workforce Investment Board

June

• FutureForce Nebraska model presented at the National Career Cluster Institute in Phoenix
• Manufacturing pathway materials presented at the National Career Cluster Institute in Phoenix
• FutureForce sponsors team of Nebraska leaders to attend the Career Cluster Institute
• Logistics Summer Camp held at Bellevue University

July

• FutureForce Nebraska hires a Coordinator/State Scholars Director
• 3rd Annual Leadership Team Meeting at Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln

October

• Biotechnology Pathway added to FutureForce initiatives.  First meeting held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

November

• The first Nebraska Scholars Program kick-off event is held in Papillion-La Vista with Commissioner Doug Christensen as the keynote speaker.

December

• FutureForce in cooperation with the Department of Education sponsors the first FutureForce Forum facilitated by Innovation Labs.  The Forum brings together a broad group of stakeholders concerned about the future of the economic and educational health of Nebraska to discuss challenges facing the state and possible solutions.

2007

February

• New FutureForce Nebraska Executive Director hired
• Finance Pathway added to FutureForce initiatives.  First meeting held at the Omaha Chamber of Commerce.
• First annual Entrepreneurship week is celebrated.

April

• FutureForce in cooperation with Bio Nebraska is awarded a $25,000 grant to promote biotech legislation and to further awareness of careers in biotechnology among middle school students.
• FutureForce makes a presentation at the Governor’s Summit on Workforce Development.
• FutureForce presents the Nebraska Scholars Program to the Nebraska Board of Education
• The FutureForce Executive Board votes to affiliate with the Nebraska Community Foundation as a means of opening alternative avenues for funding along with creating a sustainable foundation for continuing the work of FutureForce.

May

• Senator Avery introduces LR212, a resolution sponsored by FutureForce designating the third week in February Nebraska Bioscience Week. The Legislature passes the resolution. Work begins on designing the middle school career awareness component.