Gov. Sanders, Department of Commerce Award ASU System Institutions $10.5 Million in Workforce Training Grants

11/14/2024

LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Department of Commerce today announced that Arkansas State University System campuses in Jonesboro, Newport and Malvern will receive a combined $10.5 million for three training grants to support workforce development efforts.

The grants include:

• ASU Three Rivers - $2.8 million to renovate and expand facilities to support its electrical and millwright training program for the industrial maintenance sector;
  
• Arkansas State University and ASU-Newport - $7.5 million with Arkansas Northeastern College in Blytheville for a joint effort that focuses on stacked credentials in the areas of advanced manufacturing, food processing and steel production; and
  
• ASU-Newport campus in Jonesboro - $250,000 for a manufacturing technician pathways program and apprenticeship program expansion.

The grants were part of $48 million awarded to institutions across the state for projects aligned with the Arkansas Workforce Strategy. Funding is through the Higher Industry Readiness through Education 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," Gov. Sanders said. "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."

ASU System President Brendan Kelly expressed gratitude to the governor and workforce agencies for their support of the system's initiatives.

"The investment by the state helps us expand training and career opportunities for our students, and this is paramount to the ASU System's purpose and success in serving employers," Kelly said. "We thank the governor, her workforce cabinet leadership and the General Assembly for their leadership and support in providing critical funding that enables us to advance these initiatives."

Secretary of Commerce Hugh McDonald said workforce development is a key priority for Gov. Sanders and the Department of Commerce.

"The HIRED grants will have a major impact on preparing the next generation of Arkansans for the workforce," McDonald said. "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," said Mike Rogers, Chief Workforce Officer for Arkansas. "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 Cody Waits, Executive Director of Arkansas Workforce Connections. "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."