Gov. Mike Beebe (D) uses Workforce Investment Act funding to expand Arkansas Works, a strategic initiative to coordinate education, training and economic development through public-private partnerships.
The expansion focuses on providing unemployed and underemployed Arkansans with career training and educational opportunities.
The centerpiece of the expansion is the College and Career Planning System. The online information resource will help Arkansans locate jobs that fit their interests and help businesses find qualified candidates to meet their workforce needs. Every Workforce Development Center in Arkansas has personnel prepared to assess job seekers and help them connect with jobs and industries that lead to satisfying careers.
In January, 43 career coaches will be placed in high schools to offer enhanced career guidance to students who want to build careers in Arkansas. The career coaches will be employed by the two-year colleges located in the communities theses coaches are placed.
Insider's Tip: This is the type of program that receives attention from funders. The program includes a multitude of partners helping it succeed from all pertinent state agencies to state associations and chambers of commerce. Applicants who have a laundry list of partners that they can list in a narrative generally do well with funding opportunities.
Info: For more on the program, please visit http://tinyurl.com/ycmhye9 (expansion) and http://arworks.arkansas.gov (Arkansas Works website).
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