Buildertrend partners with United Way of the Midlands to host JAG Nebraska’s annual Leadership Development Conference

OMAHA, Neb. (Oct. 20, 2021) – Buildertrend, a leader in the construction industry for its project management software and known for fostering workplace volunteerism, hosted Jobs for America’s Graduates Nebraska’s annual Leadership Development Conference at its headquarters in Omaha. JAG is an organization that works to cultivate and enhance leadership skills for high school students.

The annual event brings JAG high school student officers from across Nebraska together to strengthen their leadership skills and prepare for a successful career post-graduation. JAG student officers play key leadership roles among their respective program site.

Buildertrend partnered with JAG Nebraska to boost its investment and participation in local programs focused on professional development for youth. This community initiative was led by Buildertrend’s newly established employee resource group to advance diversity, equity and inclusion efforts among its workforce.

Dan Houghton, CEO and co-founder of Buildertrend, delivered opening remarks to the student attendees about the importance of being an authentic leader.

“A true leader demonstrates vulnerability and the willingness to practice transparency and empathy in their day-to-day actions and decision making,” said Houghton. “I challenge you to encourage and be a listening ear to one another. I know that each of you has what it takes.”

JAG Nebraska, which is administered by United Way of the Midlands, provides training and coaching during school hours. Students who graduate the JAG program emerge with real-world application of leadership and management skills. So much, that JAG graduates are twice as likely to be employed full time post-graduation, according to JAG.

The JAG program aims to create a strong community workforce by reducing high school dropout rates, helping students build a career pathway and engaging local employers. The organization, which has 40 affiliations across the country, has 14 programs in Nebraska with plans for continued growth each year.

“We are extremely grateful to Buildertrend for hosting our annual Leadership Development Conference for JAG Nebraska,” said Shawna Forsberg, president and CEO at United Way of the Midlands. “This day provided an excellent opportunity for JAG students to learn and engage with business leaders. Through this unique experience, they gained a better understanding of career options and what employers are looking for.”

Hosting the JAG Nebraska leadership conference is just one of the many ways Buildertrend has given back to the community this last year. In August, Buildertrend employees demonstrated their commitment to supporting the community by turning on a dime to assist the United Way of the Midlands with its Shine Bright initiative “Care Kits for Kids” initiative. Approximately 100 employees utilized paid volunteer time off to help consolidate essential hygiene products in a care kit package for kids in the community. This impactful event provided 4,000 care kits with full-sized hygiene products to children in the Omaha metro area.

To learn more on how Buildertrend is working to build a better community, please visit: buildertrend.com/company/bt-cares/

About Buildertrend 

Buildertrend is the leading cloud-based project management software used by homebuilders, remodelers and specialty contractors. The company’s award-winning culture is one that’s focused on collaboration, putting customers first and a healthy work-life balance. Buildertrend’s team works together to create, sell and service a software solution that provides a better way for construction professionals to operate their businesses. As a workforce, Buildertrend’s software also provides its team with a means to live better lives and be better humans. To learn more, visit buildertrend.com and @buildertrendlife.

About United Way of the Midlands

For the past 98 years, United Way of the Midlands (UWM) has used its community-wide perspective to identify local needs that are going unseen or unmet – and how it can partner with corporate, government organizations, nonprofits and donors to tackle them. Today, UWM remains committed to uniting our community’s caring spirit to build a stronger tomorrow. It invests donor dollars in more than 100 local nonprofit programs that, together, form a circle of support around our community. These programs are addressing pressing social and economic disparities and providing the essentials families need to thrive, such as healthy food, a safe place to go after school and job support.