Coffee & Conversation Event to Support Dislocated Workers in Lexington June 16 at Central Community College

The Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL) invites recently laid‑off workers in the Lexington area to a Coffee & Conversation event designed to offer support, guidance, and direct access to reemployment services. This informal gathering will be held at Central Community College (CCC) and will give attendees the chance to learn about available services, explore training opportunities, and connect with NDOL and CCC.

“Our partnership with Central Community College has been essential in delivering timely, meaningful support to workers in the Lexington area,” said Commissioner of Labor Katie Thurber. “This event is designed to connect individuals with the services and training that can help them return to work quickly.”

Event Details

When: Tuesday, June 16 at 9:30 a.m.

Where: Central Community College, 1501 Plum Creek Parkway, Room 204, Lexington

Who: Open to all dislocated workers in the Lexington area, including individuals affected by the Tyson layoff.

What Participants Can Expect

Learn how NDOL can help you find your next job.
Explore training programs and services available to dislocated workers.
Connect with other local job seekers.
Schedule a one‑on‑one appointment with NDOL staff for personalized support.
Unemployment Insurance: Individuals currently claiming Unemployment Insurance can count attendance as a reemployment activity for the week.

Expanded Support Through Federal Dislocated Worker Grant

The Coffee and Conversation event is made possible by a $1.67 million federal Dislocated Worker Grant to help workers quickly reconnect to the labor market. Funding supports individualized career services, job search assistance, and targeted placement efforts. Employers can also benefit from On‑the‑Job Training (OJT) and customized training programs to help bring new workers on board with job‑specific skills.

Available Services for Dislocated Workers Include:

Basic skills and English language assessments
Coordination with Adult Basic Education (ABE) and English Language Learner (ELL) programs
Enrollment assistance with Central Community College, Mid‑Plains Community College, and regional truck‑driving schools
Initial training focus areas such as:
CNA (with approximately 100 statewide openings through the Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs)
Medication Aide
Medical Coding
CDL
Construction
Access to more than 178 eligible training programs in the region
NDOL services are administered through the Lexington Job Center, located at 1501 Plum Creek Parkway.

New Central Community College Resources for Workers

“Central Community College has obtained funding from private and state resources for training assistance to individuals impacted by the layoffs, but who may not be eligible for the NDOL dislocated funding,” said CCC President Dr. Matt Gotschall. “We encourage anyone looking for training opportunities to attend the event so we can best meet your needs for upgrading workforce skills needed in the area.”

Additional information on upcoming training opportunities are available at the CCC-Lexington Center. 

Transportation Support for Reemployed Workers

Bus transportation is now available for former Tyson employees who have secured new employment in North Platte. Interested workers may contact their employer for details and sign‑up information or reach out to NDOL at ndol.employerservices@nebraska.gov.

Helpful Links

Lexington Area Job Transition & Family Assistance Resources: https://opportunity.nebraska.gov/Lexington/

Unemployment Insurance & Job Search (NEworks): neworks.nebraska.gov
NDOL Press Releases: dol.nebraska.gov/PressRelease