Gov. Sanders and ADHE Award Workforce Training Grant to A-State and Partners
Those present for the announcement by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (center) included (front, from left) Education Secretary Jacob Oliva, State Sen. Jane English, Arkansas Department of Higher Education Commissioner Ken Warden, Arkansas Northeastern College President Chris Heigle, ASU-Newport Chancellor Johnny Moore, A-State Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Calvin White Jr., ASU System Vice President for University Relations Shane Broadway, and Commerce Secretary Hugh McDonald. The back row includes ADHE representatives Mason Campbell and Dr. Tina Moore, and Chief Workforce Officer Mike Rogers.
JONESBORO – Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas Division of Higher Education today announced that Arkansas State University System campuses will receive nearly $9 million combined for four training grants to support statewide workforce development efforts.
The grants include: Arkansas State University and ASU-Newport – $3 million with Arkansas Northeastern College in Blytheville for a joint effort that focuses on stacked credentials in the areas of advanced manufacturing, food processing and steel production.
The grants were part of nearly $26 million awarded to institutions across the state for projects aligned with the Arkansas Workforce Strategy. Funding is through the Higher Industry Readiness through Education Development (HIRED) program, established by the Workforce Initiative Act of 2015.
“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. “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."
ASU System President Brendan Kelly thanked the governor and workforce agencies for their support of the system’s initiatives.
“As we work to connect students to careers in Arkansas, these investments will accelerate and enhance our efforts,” Kelly said. “We thank the governor, her workforce cabinet leadership and the General Assembly for their support in providing critical funding that enables us to advance these initiatives. We are also grateful to our many business and industry partners across the state who help us engage with and train students.”
Arkansas Division of Higher Education Commissioner Ken Warden said: “These awards directly align with the Arkansas Workforce Strategy by connecting higher education efforts with the needs of Arkansas employers. This is a win for Arkansas. Employers will have the workforce they need and employees will earn higher wages by being better trained.”
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 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
