Arkansas Tech Career Center, a technical and career training entity operated by Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus, will soon have enhanced capacity to deliver automation technology education and greater rural access to career education because of a grant from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education.
The grant of $664,325 will allow Arkansas Tech Career Center (ATCC) to prepare secondary students at the 16 high schools that it serves as well as postsecondary students for careers in manufacturing in west and west-central Arkansas. ATCC is located in Russellville with satellite locations in Clarksville, Danville and Paris.
Outcomes of the grant will include the creation of the Arkansas Tech University Career Training Alliance. Through the alliance, students will have access to stackable degrees that will allow them to progress to an Associate of Applied Science degree in automation technology and continue through a baccalaureate degree program at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville.
“As shown from an ATU-Ozark survey of partner industries, skill sets in industrial automation technology are of current and anticipated need,” said Bruce Sikes, chancellor of Arkansas Tech-Ozark Campus. “We also know through workforce development region data that manufacturing and production jobs are among the highest projected growth sectors across both regions our alliance encompasses. We have found through collected empirical data that automation technology is a top three need at partner industry facilities.
“On behalf of the many students who will benefit from this new opportunity, I extend sincere appreciation to the Arkansas Department of Higher Education for entrusting Arkansas Tech-Ozark Campus with these grant funds,” continued Sikes. “We are career education, and we are positioned to take these resources and translate them into graduates who will be ready to meet the needs of our industry partners.”
Funds from the grant are allowing ATCC to acquire new equipment and hire new faculty members in automation technology.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to receive real-world training relevant to our industry partners’ needs,” said Patricia Edmunds, director of the Arkansas Tech Career Center. “It will also address our state’s need for individuals with highly technical skill sets. Doing so will allow Arkansas to retain and attract growing industries with high demand for job growth. I am grateful for the opportunity the state has afforded ATCC to set this wheel in motion and look forward to seeing the growth of our students as we continue to serve our industry partners.”
