Be Pro Be Proud holds ‘Draft Day’ in Springdale

Be Pro Be Proud Arkansas, a workforce development initiative led by the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas (AIA), hosted its “Draft Day” event at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center in Springdale on April 10.

The initiative connects students around the state to high-tech, high-paying technical careers through partnerships with state agencies, local industry and higher education entities.

In Springdale, representatives from 45 organizations throughout Arkansas and 19 regional high schools were paired for career explorations and interviews, totaling nearly 1,200 interviews throughout the event.

“With nearly 1,200 interviews conducted between students and employers, Northwest Arkansas’s Draft Day event demonstrates the boundless potential of our state’s growing skilled workforce,” said Andrew Parker, executive director of Be Pro Be Proud. “The energy of the participants in these events shows just how interested this generation is in seeing what opportunities and a future in skilled technical professions can afford them. The success of this event speaks volumes about reenergized interest in these rewarding careers.”

The Northwest Arkansas Council was the presenting sponsor of Draft Day in Springdale.

“By working with educators and businesses to shape the future of tomorrow’s workforce, Be Pro Be Proud and the Northwest Arkansas Council work in tandem to build a brighter career future for the next generation,” said Joe Rollins, the council’s workforce development director. “Acting as the presenting sponsor of Draft Day in Northwest Arkansas demonstrates our commitment to empowering students with the tools they need to succeed in skilled technical careers.”

Be Pro Be Proud was launched in Arkansas in 2016 and has since licensed efforts in Georgia, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.