NE LB45

Establishes a five-year pilot grant program through the Department of Labor to provide job training, employment, and mentorship opportunities to historically underserved youth (age 18 or younger who have experienced homelessness, foster care, juvenile justice involvement, poverty, or reside in qualified census tracts)

Pilot phase will launch in a metropolitan class city, primary class city, and two rural communities before statewide expansion, with grants awarded on first-come, first-served basis prioritizing areas with highest poverty and lowest employment rates

Eligible grant recipients must be headquartered in qualified census tracts and demonstrate commitment to hiring underserved youth through structured training programs targeting high-demand fields including information technology, health care, and skilled trades

Appropriates $20 million annually from the Nebraska Training and Support Cash Fund starting fiscal year 2025-26, with administrative costs capped at 1% of the appropriation

Requires grant recipients to report annually on youth employed, expenditures, job retention rates, wage progression, and skill certifications obtained within six months of program completion