10/19/15  Three Southeast Arkansas Universities Receive Grants In Effort To Improve Unemployment

 

Current data reveals that Southeast Arkansas is home to some of the highest  unemployment rates in the state.  Interim chancellor at UA-M, Jay Jones says he's noted a population decline in Southeast Arkansas over the past several years, that has affected enrollment at the university.  Jones says while it  would be nice to have more businesses move their operations to S.E. Arkansas, he says the region needs to fix a related problem, getting adults the necessary skills to fill the jobs that are available.

The university, school districts and industries in Drew County, along with those in five neighboring counties, are trying to change the outlook.  The various entities have banded together to create 21 projects awarded more than 1.4 million dollars for workforce training with the goal being to fill the gap between employers needs and the skills of the workforce.

Governor Hutchinson, in an address last month, noted statistics show some 226,000 adult Arkansans lack the proper education credentials for employment. Three schools in South Arkansas have been awarded workforce planning grants, they include SAU Tech at Camden, who received an Aerospace Defense Sector Certification Pathways Planning Grant amounting to $57,000.00.  

UA-M received $84,000.00 from Workforce Alliance of S.E Arkansas. 

UAPB received $92,500.00 for Jefferson STEM Work Initiative. 

According to Brett Powell, director of the department that awards the grants, the workforce grant program will give students options from high school credits to technical certificates, associate degrees and bachelor degrees, all of which can lead to employment.