EDUCATIONAL & TRAINING OPPORTUNTIES
A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:
"Welcome to the Educational & Training Opportunities page. On behalf of our Board of Directors, I want to thank you for your interest in our Workforce programs.
This page will provide you both an overview of our programs and specifics you need to identify the ways and means which are available to you through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to support your ability to prepare yourself for finding the type of job that is best for you and your future."
RODNEY LARSEN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
WORKFORCE INNOVATION & OPPORTUNITY ACT
WIOA Programs
WIOA promotes alignment of workforce development programs with regional economic development strategies to meet the needs of local and regional employers.
WIOA also authorizes programs for specific vulnerable populations, including the Job Corps, YouthBuild, Indian and Native Americans, and Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker programs as well as evaluation and multistate projects administered by the Department of Labor and replaces the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.
WIOA YOUTH PROGRAM
Our Youth program can assist both in and out-of-school youth, our targeted occupational and industry approach ensures you have the opportunity to receive the training for an in-demand industry here in Central Arkansas.
The Youth Program is designed to prepare Arkansas’ youth to either enter post-secondary education, training, or employment upon completion of their secondary education. The aging of Arkansas’ workforce is an issue of concern and therefore this program can be an instrument toward meeting the future workforce demands.
WIOA ADULT PROGRAM
Looking to receive training in a new career field? Need help knowing what career field would be the best fit? Our Career Counselors are to assist you in your new journey.
The purpose of the Adult Program is to assist individuals in finding sustainable jobs in in-demand industries. Availability of this service is based on eligible funding and priority of services.
WIOA DISLOCATED WORKER PROGRAM
Have you recently been terminated or laid off from your employer? The Dislocated Worker program can offer assistance to get you back into the workforce with the necessary skills to be successful in your future endeavor of employment.
The WIOA Dislocated Worker program offers employment and training services for eligible workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own or who have received an official layoff notice.
NATIONAL DISLOCATED WORKER GRANTS
National Dislocated Worker Grants (DWGs), formerly known as National Emergency Grants (NEGs), are discretionary grants awarded by the Secretary of Labor, under Section 170 of WIOA. DWGs provide resources to states and other eligible applicants to respond to large, unexpected layoff events causing significant job losses.
DWGs provide resources to states and other eligible applicants to respond to large, unexpected layoff events causing significant job losses.
EDUCATIONAL TRAINING PROVIDERS
The Central Arkansas Workforce Development Board embraced sector strategies in 2016 by aligning training programs to in-demand industry sectors within the region. This ensures clients are training for applicable career paths and that businesses have a steady talent pipeline.
The Central Arkansas Workforce Development Board will continue to evaluate the list of eligible training providers to ensure we are meeting the needs of businesses in Central Arkansas and to ensure clients are training for quality jobs.
IN-DEMAND INDUSTRIES IN CENTRAL ARKANSAS
We used data analysis to meet the labor force needs of business and industry and provide every advantage for participants to obtain a higher standard of living throughout the six county service area. The seven industry sectors listed below will provide participants with the increased probability of obtaining a good paying job. The increased labor pipeline will provide businesses with the workforce they need to operate and grow their companies throughout the region.
ACCOMODATIONS & FOOD SERVICE
EARN UP TO $21,017.00/ YEAR
NATIONAL AVERAGE WAGE
The Accommodation and Food Services sector employs 27,081 individuals with 1,673 business locations across the Central Arkansas Workforce Development Area. Many of the jobs in this industry do not require formal education. The overwhelming majority (84%) of these jobs are at restaurants, with the largest occupations of fast food and counter workers, and waiters/waitresses.
CONSTRUCTION
EARN UP TO $64,361.00/ YEAR
NATIONAL AVERAGE WAGE
Collectively, there are 15,713 jobs and 1,759 various businesses in the Central Arkansas Workforce Development Area throughout the construction sector. It’s been said “college isn’t for everyone” and in fact those that chose vocational paths often have a much easier time obtaining a job at a higher wage than someone who attended a four-year institution.
EDUCATION & HEALTH SERVICES
EARN UP TO $63,129.00/ YEAR
NATIONAL AVERAGE WAGE
The education and health services supersector is part of the service-providing industries supersector group. The Central Arkansas Workforce Development Area comprises over 3,721 payrolled businesses that employ 86,964 individuals throughout the region within this industry.
FINANCE & INSURANCE
EARN UP TO $102,371.00/ YEAR
NATIONAL AVERAGE WAGE
The Finance and Insurance sector employs 18,126 individuals across 1,451 business locations in the Central Arkansas Workforce Development Area. The Commercial Banking, Insurance Agencies, and Brokerages industry account for almost 64% of the employment in the sector.
MANUFACTURING
EARN UP TO $69,989.00/ YEAR
NATIONAL AVERAGE WAGE
According to EMSI, the Central Arkansas Workforce Development Area is home to 552 manufacturing business locations that develop a wide range of products and employ over 18,000 individuals. Some specializations exist in the region, such as sanitary paper products, ammunitions, iron and steel pipe and tube, electronic connectors, and unlaminated plastics.
PROFESSIONAL & BUSINESS SERVICES
EARN UP TO $86,690.00/ YEAR
NATIONAL AVERAGE WAGE
In the Central Arkansas Workforce Development Area, this supersector has 3,711 business locations that employ 39,273 individuals. The largest occupations accounts for approximately 6,000 jobs in 2021, which do not require formal education.
OTHER SERVICES
EARN UP TO $47,395.00/ YEAR
NATIONAL AVERAGE WAGE
The Other Services sector employs 18,180 individuals across 1,596 business locations in the Central Arkansas Workforce Development Area. This sector includes various industries such as religious organizations, automotive repair, car washes, pet care, and laundry services.
TRADE & TRANSPORATION
EARN UP TO $58,813.00/ YEAR
NATIONAL AVERAGE WAGE
According to EMSI, there are 4,550 business locations in the Trade and Transportation supersector employing 64,012 individuals within the region, making it one of the largest supersectors in the area.