September is National Workforce Development Month!
Arkansas Workforce Connections is celebrating National Workforce Development Month by hosting events across the state, highlighting success stories, and recognizing outstanding programs, partners, and workforce professionals!
“It is our mission to support both individuals and businesses in their journey toward growth and prosperity. Arkansas’ investments in workforce development have consistently led to mutual success for workers and employers. This month, we’re celebrating those achievements and recognizing the professionals, partnerships, and programs that made them possible, underscoring the vital role workforce development plays in advancing Arkansas’ economy.”
– Cody Waits, Director of Arkansas Workforce Connections
Events
Workforce Development Month Kick-Off
September 4, 2024 | 9 a.m.
Arkansas State Chamber, 1200 W Capitol Ave, Little Rock, AR 72201
- Tour of the Be Pro Be Proud Mobile Workshop & Mobile Arkansas Workforce Center (Cross Street)
- Workforce Development Success Stories presented by the Little Rock Workforce Development Board
- Remarks from employer partners & program participants
Arkansas Rankings and Labor Force Stats
- Arkansans in the labor force 1,401,412
- Record high for 5th consecutive month in July 2024.
- Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Employed Arkansans 1,354,671
- Increased for the 7th consecutive month and hit a record high for the 5th consecutive month in July 2024.
- Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Labor force participation rate 57.9%
- Up from 57.7% in June 2024.
- Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
- 116,183 ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificates
- Issued in Arkansas between January 2006 and July 2024.
- Source: www.workreadycommunities.org/AR
- 3,408 Arkansans began apprenticeships in FY 2023
- Between October 1, 2023, and June 4, 2024, more than 3,075 people entered apprenticeships.
- Source: Apprenticeship.gov
- 9,735 active apprentices in Arkansas
- October 1, 2023, and June 4, 2024. 8,302 active apprentices in FY 2023.
- Source: Apprenticeship.gov
- 2023 Labor Force Education Levels in Arkansas (percent of the labor force aged 25 and over)
- Less than high school = 6% of the civilian labor force
- High school diploma = 33% of the civilian labor force
- Some college/associates = 26% of the civilian labor force
- Bachelor’s degree + = 35% of the civilian labor force
- Source: Current Population Survey
Success Stories
Jenna L.
Jenna went to Arkansas Rehabilitation Services looking for college tuition assistance. She experienced limitations due to her physical health but was determined to finish college. Jenna and her counselor worked together to address her obstacles and identify the support she needed to complete school. Arkansas Rehabilitation Services assisted Jenna with tuition, books, physical therapy, and workplace accommodations to help her maintain employment. While in school at the University of Central Arkansas, she interned with the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. Jenna graduated from UCA in December 2023 and accepted a full-time job as an auditor at DFA.
Amy D.
Amy had just been laid off when she spoke with a WIOA case manager at the Arkansas Workforce Center. She wanted to gain new skills and expressed interest in the work experience program. Soon after meeting with her case manager, Amy started as an office clerk at the Arkansas Workforce Center. Her supervisor was pleased with her performance and stated that Amy was a quick learner. After she completed the program, Amy was hired for a full-time position at Martin Sprocket and Gear making more than $20 an hour.
Cornelius T.
Cornelius was unemployed when he came to the WIOA for assistance. As an ex-offender, he was having a hard time obtaining and retaining employment. He had limited work experience and needed to develop his skillset to be successful. After an interview, it was determined he would benefit from work experience. He was determined eligible for the WIOA Adult program and placed at the City of Osceola where he worked as a groundskeeper for their maintenance unit. While participating in work experience, he discovered what it takes to be successful at work, the importance of dependability, hard work, and being a team player. Cornelius is now employed at the City through Temps Plus and will soon be a permanent City employee.
Zhania H.
Zhania went to the Jonesboro Workforce Center seeking college assistance. She was determined eligible for the Adult Occupational Skills Training program and WIOA was able to assist her with tuition, fees, and books. Zhania completed the RN program at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro on May 3, 2024. She was hired as a registered nurse at the Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, AR on 7/29/2024. She was thankful for the help received through WIOA.
Allison D.
After being accepted into the registered nursing program at Black River Technical College in Pocahontas, Allison went to the Jonesboro Workforce Center seeking college assistance. She was scheduled to start the program in January 2023. At the time of application, Allison was a single mother, low income, receiving SNAP and SSI. Allison enrolled in Occupational Skills Training and WIOA was able to assist her with transportation, fees, and books. Allison completed the RN program on May 6, 2024, with a 4.0 GPA. Allison started working as an RN at the Children’s Clinic in Jonesboro in July 2024. She earns $28/hour, 40 hours per week. She loves her job and the freedom it gives her to spend quality time with her children.
Rena F.
Rena completed the Vocational Rehabilitation program within the Division of Services for the Blind and is competitively employed as an assistant manager with The Micah 6:8 Initiative- an organization in Rogers that helps people who are experiencing homelessness by offering financial assistance, transitional housing, a day shelter, and a resource center.
When Rena first came to VR, she was homeless and not employed. She was diagnosed with severe proliferative diabetic retinopathy and nuclear sclerosis cataracts. Rena is also a double amputee and in a wheelchair. Despite facing significant challenges due to vision loss and other disabilities, Rena has risen above these obstacles to become a strong advocate for others in similar situations. Rena works on self-advocacy such as advocating in her workplace for safer environments for those with disabilities. This includes being able to maneuver a wheelchair down sidewalks and being able to independently shower with the assistance of shower bars. She is working with the Continuum to possibly move to a new location, provided that they have accessible housing.
Through determination and resilience, she has not only adapted to her circumstances but has also developed a deep empathy and understanding for those facing similar struggles. This journey has fueled their passion for advocacy, driving them to work closely with others to ensure that everyone has the support, resources, and opportunities they need to succeed. Their story is one of perseverance, showing that with the right mindset and dedication, it is possible to turn personal challenges into powerful tools for making a difference in the lives of others.
Heather states, “I am privileged to share in the recognition of a job well done and trust that success will continue to follow this most deserving individual, who has demonstrated that, with determination, blindness is not a barrier to competitive employment.”
Workforce Development Resources
- CareerOneStop: Explore various career, training, and job-search resources.
- Real-Life Arkansas: A lifestyle calculator that tells you how much you will need to make to buy the things you want and need.
- Occupation Profile: Learn details about any occupation including what you might do on the job, how much you might earn, and how much education or training you might need.
- Business Finder: Use the Business Finder to locate businesses that may be hiring in your field.
- Career Clusters: Use Career Clusters to help focus education plans toward obtaining the necessary knowledge, competencies, and training for success in a particular career pathway.
- My Next Move: The O*NET Interest Profiler can help you find out what your interests are and how they relate to the world of work.
- Interest Profiler: The O*NET Interest Profiler helps you decide what kinds of careers you might want to explore.
