CENTRAL ARKANSAS
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA
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Increase your chances of getting a good paying job.
ACCOMMODATION & FOOD SERVICE
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
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
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
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
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.
OTHER SERVICES
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.
PROFESSIONAL & BUSINESS SERVICES
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.
TRADE & TRANSPORATION
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.
In-Demand Industries in
Central Arkansas
To meet the labor force needs of business and industry, we used data analysis. Our goal is to give job seekers every advantage they need to improve their standard of living across our six-county service area. The eight industry sectors listed below will increase the likelihood of job seekers finding a good paying job.
WHY THESE INDUSTRIES?
How were these in-demand industries determined? The Board uses the data analysis and conclusions drawn from the LEVERAGE document as a catalytic first step to meet the labor force needs of business and industry and provide every advantage for participants to obtain a higher standard of living throughout our six county service area.