Southern Arkansas University has received a $50,000 gift from ExxonMobil to support the construction of the SAU Workforce Development Center.
The center, a 4,800-square-foot facility, will train students and adult job seekers for careers in critical mineral production, advanced manufacturing and related industries in southwest Arkansas, according to a press release.
“We are deeply grateful to ExxonMobil for investing in the future workforce of Southwest Arkansas,” said Dr. Connie Wilson, vice president for advancement at Southern Arkansas University. “This gift will directly translate into hands-on training opportunities for students and job seekers who are building careers in industries growing right here in our region.”
Located next to the Natural Resource Research Center on the Magnolia campus, the center will serve as the hands-on training location for students from K-12 school districts enrolled in career and technical education workforce development programs taught by regional two-year LiTHIUMLEARNS partner institutions, such as South Arkansas College’s industrial engineering technology program and University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana’s construction technology program, the release stated. A chemical industry training lab featuring a Polaris Hands-on Training (HOT) Unit will anchor the industry-ready program.
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