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The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith has received a $4 million grant to support
workforce development efforts.
The grant was part of $48 million in training grants announced Thursday by Gov. Sarah
Huckabee Sanders, Secretary of Commerce Hugh McDonald, Chief Workforce Officer Mike
Rogers, and Arkansas Workforce Connections Director Cody Waits. The grants support
workforce development efforts aligned with the Arkansas Workforce Strategy.
The grants were awarded as part of the Higher Industry Readiness through Educational
Development (HIRED) program, established by the Workforce Initiative Act of 2015.
“The best thing about the HIRED program is that it’s a collaboration of the public
and private sector working in tandem to build a workforce to support Arkansas’ fastest-growing
industries,” said Sanders. “The $48 million we’re announcing through the HIRED grant
program will help provide a solution to Arkansas’ business leaders who are seeking
more qualified, skilled, hardworking employees to grow their companies.”
Dr. Terisa Riley, UAFS chancellor, announced the grant saying, “Receiving the HIRED
grant is a tremendous honor and a confirmation of the state’s commitment to meeting
the workforce needs of our community. At UAFS, we have always taken pride in aligning
our programs with the needs of our students and our region. This grant allows us to
expand our work in advanced manufacturing, equipping more Arkansans with high-demand
skills that will lead to well-paying jobs right here in the River Valley.”
She added, “Creating a complete pathway to higher education is a legacy at UAFS, and
I am especially thrilled that this grant will fund not only our exceptional undergraduate
programs but also our efforts to educate high school students at the PEAK Innovation
Center and to upskill working professionals at the Center for Economic Development.
I am so grateful to Governor Sanders for her emphasis on advanced manufacturing and
regional development in the newly adopted state workforce plan.”
Dr. Latisha Settlage, dean of the College of Business and Industry at UAFS, seconded
the chancellor’s emphasis on manufacturing.
“This award represents a critical investment in our region's future by supporting
UAFS's efforts to expand educational pathways in advanced manufacturing," she said.
"Our community and industry partners have been invaluable to this initiative, providing
insights into the evolving skill demands of the manufacturing sector, opening their
facilities for hands-on learning, and committing to hire our graduates.
“We have been working in lockstep with these partners, 22 of whom wrote letters of
support for this grant. Their commitment ensures that we are not only addressing current
workforce needs but also positioning the River Valley as a leader in cutting-edge
manufacturing capabilities. Together, we are building a stronger, more resilient local
economy, empowering our students with skills that will serve them – and our region
– well into the future," she said.
In total, $88 million is available through the HIRED Grant program’s two tracks, which
are separately administered through the Arkansas Department of Commerce and the Arkansas
Division of Higher Education.
“Workforce development is a key priority for Governor Sanders and the Department of
Commerce, and the HIRED grants will have a major impact on preparing the next generation
of Arkansans for the workforce,” said McDonald. “These grants represent an industry-driven
approach to workforce development and will impact Arkansans and companies in every
corner of our state. Our public sector – including the Department of Commerce, Arkansas
Department of Education, Arkansas Department of Higher Education, the Office of Skills
Development, and the Chief Workforce Officer – have partnered and collaborated with
the private sector and our educational institutions throughout this process, and we
look forward to the positive results that the programs supported through the HIRED
Grant Program will have in Arkansas, which will be measurable by the employment outcomes
of these partnerships.”
Nineteen organizations in Arkansas received $48 million in grants in the Track 2 portion
of the HIRED grants program, administered by the Arkansas Department of Commerce and
Arkansas Workforce Connections.
“Apprenticeships, trade schools and the college system are vital in building Arkansas's
workforce,” Rogers said. “This round of investments is intended to target competencies
that key industry sectors have asked for. We're relying on companies to guide and
validate that they are able to hire skilled workers. “
The HIRED grants are intended to provide funding for state and regional industry-driven
partnerships and data-driven education and workforce training programs. Funding for
the grants comes from Arkansas Workforce Initiative grant funding and American Rescue
Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
"The HIRED grants demonstrate Arkansas' commitment to investing in its workforce and
economic future," said Arkansas Workforce Connections’ Waits. "We're thrilled to offer
this level of support, not just to these education and training providers, but also
to employers across the state as they equip Arkansans with the skills needed to meet
evolving industry demands."
Below is the full list of grant recipients:
- Little Rock, Apprenticely, $2 million
- Fort Smith, Arkansas Colleges of Health Education, $3 million
- Little Rock, Arkansas Construction Education Foundation, $1 million.
- Jonesboro (primary), Newport, Arkansas State University-Newport, $250,000
- Malvern, Arkansas State University Three Rivers, $2.8 million
- Little Rock, The Venture Center, $500,000
- Searcy, Harding University Digital Forensics Lab, $1.5 million
- Little Rock, Little Rock Regional Chamber, $500,000
- Hot Springs, National Park College No. 2, $6 million
- Springdale, NWTI Education Foundation, $4 million
- Arkadelphia, Ouachita Baptist University No. 1, $437,500
- Helena-West Helena, Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas, $249,000
- El Dorado, South Arkansas College, $325,000
- Batesville, UAAC Batesville, $5 million
- North Little Rock, UA Pulaski Technical College No. 2, $2 million
- Walnut Ridge, Williams Baptist, $1.9 million
- Jonesboro, Blytheville, Newport, Arkansas State University-Jonesboro (ANC, ASUN),
$7.5 million
- Camden, Southern Arkansas University Tech, $5 million
- Western Arkansas, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, $4 million
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