FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Brian Ayers
bayers@nulllukaspartners.com
402-895-2552 ext. 308
OMAHA, Nebraska (June 4, 2020) — AIM Institute, an innovative nonprofit that grows, connects and inspires Omaha’s tech community, today announced the divestiture of its Careerlink job platform, one of the first online resources created to search and apply for jobs. The sale of Careerlink to the newly formed Careerlink, LLC, which is helmed by former Microsoft and Yahoo! Alumni, provides further strategic investment in AIM’s core not-for-profit, mission-related services to address the growing shortage of tech professionals and skills gap across the region’s tech sector.
AIM’s strategic shift is in alignment with national trends and based on input from research the organization initiated with 50 IT leaders. Results confirmed a pervasive need to rapidly train and upskill workers’ tech skills, build a more robust pipeline and inspire youth to pursue tech careers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 24% growth in tech jobs by 2026. Community leaders involved with the Nebraska Tech Collaborative also identified the need to add 10,000 tech workers in Nebraska by 2025.
Kandace Miller, president and CEO of AIM, said the divestiture of Careerlink allows AIM to offer alternative training models, new and expanded programs and deeper partnerships with schools and organizations that are critical for building the workforce of tomorrow.
“The tech talent shortage is a top concern for executives across virtually every industry since our economy is becoming increasingly reliant on tech labor for its health,” Miller said. “Technology jobs represent the largest development opportunity in our region, and the current shortage of workers and skills demands that companies not continue to rely exclusively on traditional models for producing tech talent.”
Miller said the key to adding alternative pathways for tech positions is prioritizing learning tech skills at an early age in youth education programs, investing in programs that promote STEM and building more inclusive programs for diverse, underrepresented and at-risk students. In 2019, AIM engaged more than 6,100 youth program participants in tech career awareness and exploration. Additionally, 98% of AIM’s at-risk education program participants graduated from high school.
“Our programs provide life-changing learning experiences – mentoring, coaching, resources and training for tech careers,” Miller said.
Careerlink began as one of a variety of projects to create funding for AIM’s mission, and its divesture will do the same.
“The breadth and diversity of our programming introduces students to technology and provides personal and career development opportunities to tech workers through all stages of their employment lifecycle,” Miller said. “The sale of Careerlink increases AIM’s capacity to strengthen the local workforce, retain employers and elevate the entire community.”
Miller said after meetings with several prospective Careerlink buyers, ranging from national investment groups to staffing agencies and entrepreneurs, AIM moved forward with the Careerlink, LLC offer because of its leadership and commitment to the Omaha community.
“The buyer’s vision for Careerlink aligned with AIM’s,” Miller said. “Careerlink, LLC will continue to operate in the Omaha area, retain existing employees and introduce innovative new features for connecting local job seekers and employers. It was important to us that Careerlink continues to benefit the community.”
Jim Davis, Director of the new Careerlink, LLC said, “We look forward to continuing to support local job seekers and employers at Careerlink in innovative new ways. The entire team is extremely excited to be a part of the new company and to be executing on the new product roadmap. We plan on introducing a host of new features and services to our users in the coming months that really will showcase the future of Careerlink for job seekers and employers alike.”
ABOUT AIM INSTITUTE
AIM Institute is an innovative nonprofit that grows, connects and inspires the tech talent community through career development and educational programs. Through these efforts, we improve thousands of lives across the Silicon Prairie. More information about AIM is available at aiminstitute.org.
ABOUT CAREERLINK, LLC
Careerlink, LLC is a community based employment website that informs and connects local job seekers with relevant job opportunities from trusted companies. For over 20 years Careerlink has helped match amazing candidates to their future careers. More information about Careerlink,LLC available at careerlink.com.