Podcast
York County is Building Its Workforce With Career Days and Leadership Courses
20 Mar 2026
York County, Nebraska, continues to invest in its residents, helping them find jobs and grow careers through events and development courses. In early March, the York County Development Corporation (YCDC) hosted Regional Career Day, which combined a job fair with various speakers to share advice with high school students. March also marked the graduation of the latest cohort of Dale Carnegie Leadership Course participants, with the next rotation starting in early April.
“Good workforce development helps everyone in the community, from high school students preparing for their first jobs, to seasoned employees ready to take the next steps in their careers,” says Lisa Hurley, Executive Director of YCDC. “We are thrilled to see all of the participants in these events and are making space for more York County residents to join us.”
Learn more about these workforce development activities, how they support economic development, and how you can get involved.
Regional Career Day Connects 170 Students to 6 Key Industries
The goal of Regional Career Day is to expose students to potential industries and employers across York County. The hope is that students will feel inspired to pursue exciting career paths and stay in York County after they graduate. The 14 employers and 6 industries represented in this year’s career day include:
- Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
- Human Services & Education
- Communications & Information Systems
- Business, Marketing & Management
- Skilled & Technical Sciences
- Health Services
Students arrive around 9:00 AM and enjoy a mixture of guest speakers and breakout sessions throughout the day. The event wraps up around 2:00 PM. Of the students who attended, 97% spoke to at least one employer, and 93% said they are interested in a job, internship, or opportunity discussed at the event.
The employers represented at the career fair are a mix of companies looking to hire students right after high school graduation and businesses that offer incentive programs such as college reimbursement. Many students leave York County to attend college, and these events are designed to highlight the opportunities waiting back home.
Maggi Thorne Gave the 2026 Keynote Speech
York County students had an extra special guest at this year’s Regional Career Day. Maggi Thorne is a 9-time top competitor on American Ninja Warrior. Before her TV experience, she managed $340 million in construction projects, including stadiums and arenas across Nebraska. Today, she builds up people, traveling as a motivational speaker and helping charities and youth across Nebraska.
“Thorne highlights what can happen when you work hard and follow your dreams,” says Hurley. “Her physical accomplishments are the result of dedication to training and investing in herself, while her career and charitable contributions come from her creative problem-solving, determination, and collaboration. She is a great example for our high school students.”
Regional Career Day occurs in the Spring to help students prepare for the coming year. They can decide what they want to study in the fall and which potential post-graduation paths they want to pursue.
Learn more about Regional Career Day by exploring the event reports below. Enjoy a deep dive into the impact this event has on the community
The Dale Carnegie Training Program Kicked Off Its 2026 Sessions
The Dale Carnegie Leadership Courses are in full swing, with the first cohort of 2026 participants graduating in Early March.
“Through the Dale Carnegie course, I gained practical strategies for communication, leadership, and managing challenges with confidence,” says Michelle McClelland, Program Support Specialist at YCDC. “The skills I learned will continue to impact both my professional work and personal growth.”
The sessions are designed to be interactive, with participants receiving homework to help them reflect on key concepts between meetings. This increases the amount of information that is retained and able to be applied in the workplace.
The Dale Carnegie Management Course Starts in April
York County residents who want to participate in the Dale Carnegie Training program can enroll in the next session, which starts on April 1. This is a three-day training session for managers that meets weekly. Each session is a day-long event that runs from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Following the April managerial development sessions, the next course will focus on skills development. This program runs through June and July.
“Each of the Dale Carnegie Training Programs is meant to fill specific career development needs,” says Hurley. “The manager course is designed to help people become better leaders, whether they already manage team members or are about to. The skills course is beneficial for anyone who wants to be more effective in their roles.”
YCDC works with local employers and employees to offset the cost of attending these trainings. Reach out to discuss the Nebraska-based resources that could make it easier for your organization to invest in workforce development.
Each Event Showcases Growth Potential in York County
Workforce development events, such as Regional Career Day and Dale Carnegie training programs, create pathways for residents who want to advance their careers. Students can see a future for themselves in York County, encouraging them to stay in the community. Employees can grow their careers here while making employers more effective through increased productivity. Each of these activities contributes to resident retention, employee development, and the overall resilience of York County.
Learn more about YCDC’s commitment to workforce development and get involved in the future of York County. Your investment in YCDC can fund additional programs to help job seekers and growers across the community. Contact us to ask about these programs or discuss opportunities to get involved. We can’t wait to work with you.
