UAFS receives $1M in Regional Workforce Grants

Thanks to $1 million in grants from the Arkansas Division of Higher Education, the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith will be able to amplify its commitment to workforce readiness and its partnership with area industries and employers.

The Phase III Regional Workforce Grants allocate $300,000 for the university‚s Transportation programs and $700,000 for its Advanced Manufacturing programs.

Dr. Shadow Robinson, Provost and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, noted the importance of the grants to workforce preparation.

“The ongoing commitment to workforce readiness of our students and economic development of our region is what distinguishes UAFS as a university,” Robinson said. “This grant helps ensure that our that our graduates are work-ready on Day 1, stepping from our campus directly into high-paying careers in the electronics and automotive industries.”

Both grants will support equipment and infrastructure on the UAFS campus in the Baldor Technology Center, explained Amanda Seidenzahl, Director of the Western Arkansas Area Technical Center (WATC).

Advanced manufacturing funding will support both credit and noncredit classes for concurrent high school students, college students, and adults in industry training.

The transportation grant will support automotive technology with new equipment and lab upgrades. Both university and concurrent high school students will benefit.

Seidenzahl notes that the grants will provide an opportunity to expand the programs in the region. “The state-of-theart equipment and facilities in each area ensure students are learning in a simulated industry environment,” she said. “The programs provide both credit and noncredit instruction that prepares students to enter the workforce and support the industry needs of this region.”

Dr. Latisha Settlage, Dean of the College of Business and Industry, pointed out that the funding supports learning laboratories.

“When students develop and practice skills on the same technologies found in the workplace, they become career ready professionals who are immediately read to ass value in our economy,” she said.