Nebraska Emerging Talent Awards to Recognize Interns, Apprentices, Mentors, Employers
Story By: Itzel Davila Torres
Nebraska's emerging workforce will take center stage in Omaha next month as the Nebraska Emerging Talent Awards recognize the interns, apprentices, mentors and employers helping build career pathways across the state.
The Metropolitan Community College regional celebration of the inaugural Nebraska Emerging Talent Awards, known as NETA, will be held Tuesday, Sept. 8, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Fort Omaha Campus' Swanson Conference Center, Building 22, Room 201A, 5300 N. 30th St. The event is free and open to registered attendees.
The Omaha event is one of six regional NETA celebrations taking place across Nebraska and will focus on individuals and organizations making an impact within the Metro region.
Created through the Aksarben Foundation in collaboration with Nebraska's community colleges, NETA was established to recognize the people and organizations creating meaningful opportunities through internships and apprenticeships.
The awards put a spotlight not only on emerging professionals beginning their careers, but also on the mentors and employers investing the time and resources needed to develop Nebraska's future workforce.
NETA recognizes six categories: Apprentice of the Year, Apprenticeship Mentor, Apprenticeship Organization, Returning Intern, Internship Mentor and Internship Organization.
Across the six Nebraska regions, 36 awards will be presented, recognizing the role internships and apprenticeships play in creating stronger talent pipelines and connecting Nebraskans with career opportunities. The awards also recognize the employers and mentors whose programs help emerging professionals gain hands-on experience, develop skills and establish connections within their communities.
The Metro celebration comes as Nebraska employers and economic development leaders continue to focus on attracting and retaining workers.
Internships and apprenticeships can play an important role in that effort by giving students and emerging professionals an opportunity to experience careers with Nebraska employers before making long-term decisions about where they want to live and work.
The Aksarben Foundation's broader workforce efforts include scholarships, internships and programs designed to connect Nebraska students with employers and career opportunities. Through the Nebraska Tech Collaborative, the organization also supports programs focused on developing emerging, experienced and entrepreneurial talent.
The Sept. 8 event at Metropolitan Community College will recognize the Metro-area apprentices, interns, mentors and organizations contributing to those efforts while providing an opportunity for employers, educators and community members to celebrate the region's emerging workforce.
Event Details
What: Nebraska Emerging Talent Awards — Metro Region
When: Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: Metropolitan Community College, Fort Omaha Campus, Swanson Conference Center, Building 22, Room 201A, 5300 N. 30th St., Omaha
Cost: Free
Registration: Advance registration is available online through the Nebraska Emerging Talent Awards Metro event page.
Register for the Nebraska Emerging Talent Awards — Metro (https://secure.qgiv.com/for/nebraskatechcollab/event/netametro/?blm_aid=68046365)
