14 Arkansas universities and colleges receive $26.7 million in HIRED grants
Of the $26.7 million in workforce training grants announced Thursday (Dec. 19) by Gov. Sarah Sanders, $4.45 million will land in the Fort Smith metro, and institutions in the University of Arkansas System will receive $10.7 million from the grant round.
The state awarded 14 education institutions $26.7 million in grants as part of the Higher Industry Readiness through Educational Development (HIRED) program, established by the Workforce Initiative Act of 2015. State officials in November announced $48 million in grants through the HIRED program. At the time, the state said $88 million was available through the program.
“There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to education and the HIRED Grant Program helps us meet Arkansas students, schools, and businesses where they are,” Gov. Sanders said in a statement. “These grants will help build the workforce of the future and make Arkansas more competitive in industries such as steel manufacturing, aerospace and defense, lithium, and cybersecurity.”
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 federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith will use $1.7 million in grant proceeds to establish a manufacturing academy, according to UAFS Chancellor Dr. Terisa Riley. UAFS received $4 million in the November funding round.
“This funding allows us to establish a Manufacturing Academy that will address workforce needs in advanced manufacturing while helping individuals in our region gain the skills needed for high-paying jobs,” Riley said. “With these funds, we will modernize classrooms, upgrade technology, and build on the momentum of the $4 million HIRED grant we received from the Department of Commerce. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to seek these funds from the state of Arkansas, and for their belief in the River Valley, and in UAFS.”
Officials with ATU-Ozark said they plan to utilize the $2.75 million grant to renovate and expand facilities and increase the quality and quantity of training opportunities in fields including, but not limited to, HVAC/refrigeration, welding, automotive technologies, automation, machining and advanced manufacturing.
Following is the list of HIRED recipients.
Track 1 HIRED Grant Recipients:
Arkansas State University – Beebe, $2.3 million
Arkansas State University –Three Rivers SCCTC, $2 million
Arkansas Tech University – Ozark Campus, $2.75 million
Black River Technical College with Arkansas Delta Training and Education Consortium (ADTEC) – $1.675 million
Ozarka College, $1.55 million
Southern Arkansas University – Magnolia, $2.75 million
University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College, $2.5 million
University of Arkansas Community College – Morrilton, $2 million
University of Arkansas – Data Science, $750,000
University of Arkansas at Little Rock – Cybersecurity, $750,000
University of Arkansas at Monticello – Crossett, $2 million
Combined track grants:
Arkansas State University – Jonesboro, Arkansas Northeastern College, Arkansas State University – Newport, $3 million
University of Arkansas – Semiconductors, $1 million
University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, $1.7 million