Arkansas receives $6.3 million grant for job training programs

The Arkansas Department of Workforce Services will receive $6.362 million from the U.S. Department of Labor to support Arkansas’ efforts to improve reemployment services and to develop innovative job-training programs.

The state agency said in a statement issued Friday (June 19) that Arkansas is one of 27 states and a Cherokee tribal nation that will be awarded funds through the Sector
Partnership National Emergency Grant program.

Funds from this grant initiative will be used in Arkansas to provide dislocated workers and long-term unemployed individuals, including eligible underserved and minority populations, pre-employment skills training and occupation specific training that lead to viable employment opportunities within the high-growth industry sectors of advanced manufacturing, health care, information technology and the skilled construction trades.

“This is an incredible opportunity for our state,” ADWS Director Daryl Bassett said in the statement. “We plan to use these funds to serve at least 1,700 Arkansans with intensive reemployment services and connect 1,500 of those with training activities that are aligned with the workforce needs of Arkansas employers.”

This grant initiative will be administered in collaboration with employers, training providers and the local workforce system to facilitate effective and efficient service delivery. Partners in the effort will include the Arkansas Community Colleges (formerly Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges); 12 participating community colleges; Arkansas Apprenticeship Coalition; Winrock International; Arkansas Department of Human Services; White River Planning & Development District Inc.; Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District Inc.; Northeast Arkansas Workforce Development Board; West Central Arkansas Career Development Center System
Inc.; Central Arkansas Planning & Development District Inc.; and Southwest Arkansas Workforce Development Board.