By 2016 Nebraska’s healthcare industry can anticipate a need for 13,232 healthcare practitioners, a 45% increase, and 8,793 healthcare support specialists, a 49% increase.  To meet demand for the size, quality and diversity of the healthcare workforce in the 21st century, Future Force Nebraska is bringing together a statewide group of stakeholders to identify and address the issues. 

In June a group of professionals from a variety of healthcare sectors identified the following categories for development:

• Collaboration…engage all healthcare providers in communicating with potential employees about workplace opportunities and competencies.
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• Diversity…establish relationships that promote the development of a quality healthcare workforce of magnificent size and diversity.
• Education…coordinate the alignment of education systems for seamless transition from one institution to another while engaging students in healthcare career exploration activities.
• Leadership,...gain support from healthcare community to confirm the vision, prioritize activities and allocate resources to develop the talent pipeline.
• Outcomes and Measurement…evaluate and monitor the overall work product while providing support and needed resources.

Purpose
To develop a strong healthcare talent pipeline by coordinating the efforts of education, employers, non-profits and governmental agencies to support state-wide alignment of resources and marketing of current and future health careers.  

Contact
Dr. Deb Brennan, Dean of Health Occupations, Central Community College (402) 461-2463 or dbrennan@cccneb.edu

Stacia Weaver, Health Occupations Instructor, Omaha Public Schools or stacia.weaver@ops.org