Greater Omaha Workforce Participation Poised for Growth
Data released on November 10 at the Greater Omaha Chamber’s (www.omahachamber.org) Economic Outlook forum projects a potential easing of Omaha’s tight labor market. The report shared by Dr. Eric Thompson of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln showed that up to half of the workers who fell out of the labor market during the COVID-19 pandemic could return in the next year. That would provide an influx of more than 6,000 workers into the Greater Omaha area over a 12-month period.
Omaha’s unemployment continues to fall to record levels, with September data showing a 2.1% unemployment rate in the region. While this is good news for people in the job market, it makes filling open positions difficult for employers looking to grow and expand to meet demand. The projected 6,000 person expansion of the labor force would continue to ease that tension. That’s good news for a region that has already added more than 11,000 workers in 2021 than it had in 2020.
“What we have to do is continue to build pipelines between the employers and the available workforce,” said Ana Lopez Shalla, senior director of workforce development with the Greater Omaha Chamber. “We are working to increase access to these employment opportunities for everyone in our community who wants to go to work. This means focusing on internships, on-thejob training, diversity and inclusion initiatives and other programs
that open the doors of prosperity for everyone.”
The mission of the Greater Omaha Chamber is to champion a thriving business community and a prosperous region through visionary leadership and collaboration. Learn more at www.omahachamber.org.