Little Rock, Arkansas – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, alongside Arkansas Division of Higher Education Commissioner Ken Warden and Chief Workforce Officer Mike Rogers, announced nearly $26 million in HIRED training grants on Thursday. These funds aim to enhance workforce development efforts across Arkansas, providing essential support to students, schools, and industries. A total of 14 institutions received the grants, designed to create a well-trained workforce that meets the needs of Arkansas’s growing industries, including steel manufacturing, aerospace, lithium, and cybersecurity.
Meeting Arkansas Where It Is
Governor Sanders emphasized the tailored approach of the HIRED Grant Program, stating, “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.” She further highlighted that these grants will help Arkansas remain competitive while preparing students for high-demand fields.
Commissioner Warden praised the alignment of the grants with the Arkansas Workforce Strategy, saying, “Employers will have the workforce they need, and employees will earn higher wages by being better trained.” Chief Workforce Officer Mike Rogers added, “Arkansas has a longstanding tradition for innovation, work ethic, entrepreneurship, and the trades. It is the right time to invest regionally in our two- and four-year colleges.”
A Comprehensive Workforce Strategy
The HIRED grants are part of the Higher Industry Readiness through Educational Development (HIRED) program. This initiative, established through the Workforce Initiative Act of 2015, uses state and federal funds to support state and regional partnerships and data-driven training programs. In November, Governor Sanders and the Department of Commerce announced $48 million in HIRED training grants, bringing the total funding available under this program to $88 million.
The grants are distributed through two separate tracks managed by the Arkansas Department of Commerce and the Arkansas Division of Higher Education. These grants directly address Arkansas’s workforce needs by connecting education programs with industry demands, enabling students to pursue high-quality training for jobs of the future.
List of Grant Recipients
The $26 million awarded was distributed among several colleges and universities to support various workforce training initiatives:
Track 1 HIRED Grant Recipients:
- Arkansas State University – Beebe: $2,300,000
- Arkansas State University – Three Rivers SCCTC: $2,000,000
- Arkansas Tech University – Ozark Campus: $2,750,000
- Black River Technical College with Arkansas Delta Training and Education Consortium (ADTEC): $1,675,000
- Ozarka College: $1,550,000
- Southern Arkansas University – Magnolia: $2,750,000
- University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College: $2,500,000
- University of Arkansas Community College – Morrilton: $2,000,000
- University of Arkansas – Data Science: $750,000
- University of Arkansas at Little Rock – Cybersecurity: $750,000
- University of Arkansas at Monticello – Crossett: $2,000,000
Combined Track Proposals:
- Arkansas State University – Jonesboro, Arkansas Northeastern College, Arkansas State University – Newport: $3,000,000
- University of Arkansas – Semiconductors: $1,000,000
- University of Arkansas – Fort Smith: $1,700,000
Investing in Arkansas’s Future
The grants are expected to strengthen Arkansas’s reputation as a hub for innovation and industry, enabling colleges and universities to train students for the evolving demands of the workforce. These investments align with the state’s strategy to create a robust economy fueled by skilled workers and cutting-edge industries.
Governor Sanders reaffirmed her commitment to workforce development, stating, “These grants will help build the workforce of the future and make Arkansas more competitive.” As Arkansas continues to invest in education and workforce development, the HIRED Grant Program represents a significant step forward in ensuring the state remains a leader in economic growth and innovation.
