Above — BACK: Mason Campbell, ADHE chief academic officer; Dr. Tina Moore, ADHE Workforce Development; Mike Rogers, Arkansas Chief Workforce Officer. FRONT: Jacob Oliva, AR Secretary of Education; AR Senator Jane English; Dr. Ken Warden, higher education commissioner, Governor Sarah H. Sanders; Dr. Josh Wilson, Ozarka College president; Marcus Orf, Ozarka director of workforce development; and Hugh McDonald, AR Secretary of Commerce. Image provided by Ozarka College
Ozarka College has received a $1.5 million grant to launch skilled trades programs at its Melbourne campus.
In a media release, the college said the project will support the development of electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and construction trades to address high-demand workforce needs in the Ozarka service area. The project will also support training in construction equipment and the creation of a mobile welding classroom for remote site training throughout the region.
The grant was one of 14 awarded Thursday as part of the Higher Industry Readiness through Educational Development (HIRED) program. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Arkansas Division of Higher Education Commissioner Ken Warden, and Chief Workforce Officer Mike Rogers announced nearly $26 million in HIRED grants to support workforce development.
“We are thrilled to receive this critical funding to expand programs in the skilled trades,” said Dr. Josh Wilson, Ozarka College president. “We are grateful for the confidence and support from the governor, ADHE, and CWO Mike Rogers and look forward to concentrating more resources on developing our local workforce. This is a proud day for Ozarka College.”
Governor Sanders highlighted the importance of the program, saying, “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. 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.”
Commissioner Warden emphasized the alignment of the grants with state workforce strategies. “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 through better training,” he said.
Chief Workforce Officer Rogers added, “Arkansas has a longstanding tradition of innovation, work ethic, entrepreneurship, and the trades. This is the right time to invest regionally in our two- and four-year colleges. Employers are asking for specific short-term training and higher education degrees. Part of this effort is about returning to our roots while also pioneering new spaces.”
In November, the governor and the Department of Commerce announced $48 million in HIRED training grants. The program aims to fund state and regional partnerships and data-driven education and workforce training programs. Funding is provided through the Arkansas Workforce Initiative and federal sources.
The HIRED program, established by the Workforce Initiative Act of 2015, offers $88 million across two tracks administered by the Arkansas Department of Commerce and the Arkansas Division of Higher Education.
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