The Arkansas Department of Workforce Services announced today, Oct. 6, that it has awarded Arkansas Community Colleges more than $4 million as part of its Arkansas Sector Partnership initiative.
The funds will be used to support the development, or expansion, of work-based training programs within the industries of advanced manufacturing, health care, information technology and the skilled construction trades.
“The goal of the Arkansas Sector Partnership initiative is to leverage partnerships and align state and local resources to deliver sector-based training programs that meet the workforce needs of key industries in Arkansas’ regional labor markets,” said ADWS Director Daryl Bassett.
The ACC, formerly Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges, is a nonprofit association representing all public community colleges in Arkansas.
Twelve ACC member colleges are participating, and will provide work-based training programs and a variety of support services, including enhanced career services and pre-employment training to Arkansans across the state.
ACC’s Center for Workforce Director Kyla Waters said, “The 12 community colleges are working closely with the employers in their respective communities. We are pleased that already more than 40 employers have committed to hire participants of the training programs.”
The initiative, funded through a U.S. Department of Labor grant recently awarded to ADWS, targets dislocated workers and long-term unemployed individuals, including eligible underserved and minority populations.
Participating colleges and their training programs and services include:
- Arkansas Northeastern College: Construction Technology, Welding, Industrial Electrical Systems, enhanced career services and pre-employment training.
- Arkansas State University—Beebe (Searcy Campus): Multi-Skills Program (includes general technical skills in electronics, drafting and reading prints, quality control measurements, hand tool identification, hydraulics/pneumatics, mechanical power, welding, etc.).
- Arkansas State University-Newport: Welding and Licensed Practical Nurse.
- Black River Technical College: Enhanced career services and industrial pre-employment training.
- East Arkansas Community College: Pre-employment training and enhanced career services.
- Northwest Arkansas Community College: Entry-Level Production.
- Pulaski Technical College: Introduction to Advanced Manufacturing, enhanced career services and pre-employment training.
- South Arkansas Community College: Basic Operator’s Orientation Training, Process Technology, Welding, Industrial Equipment Maintenance, Mechatronics and enhanced career services.
- Southern Arkansas University Tech: Enhanced career services and pre-employment training.
- Southeast Arkansas College: Enhanced career services, WAGE certification and Career Readiness Certification, Welding, Microsoft Office Specialist, Emergency Medical Technician and Certified Nursing Assistant.
- University of Arkansas Community College Batesville: Certified Nursing Assistant.
- University of Arkansas Community College Morrilton: Multi-Craft Basic Workforce Training, Welding, enhanced career services and pre-employment training