Toward better life

Community colleges build state

Arkansas’ 22 public community and technical colleges offer short-term, high-demand degrees and certificates that can be completed in two years or fewer, and at less than half the cost of attending a four-year university.

More than 70,000 Arkansans enroll in a state community or technical college annually, most of whom are nontraditional in age and ethnicity, the first in their family to attend college, working at least part-time, and caring for children at home. These hardworking students seek a better life, and they are a rich source of workforce talent for the state’s business and industry leaders.

Most community college work-force credentials specific to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are developed in partnership with local business and industry leaders to ensure that training meets employers’ needs, resulting in a high job-placement rate for graduates and reduced turnover for employers. These industry partners often provide colleges with instructors and equipment to ensure that students receive the most up-to-date and relevant training in order to be successful in the work force.

An example from the fast-growing and high-demand energy industry is Arkansas State University at Newport’s High Voltage Lineman Technology program, a stackable credential (a 10-month technical certificate that leads to a two-year associate degree), developed in partnership with the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas. Graduates are skilled in installing, repairing, servicing, and maintaining electric power lines and supporting equipment. This short-term credential leads to jobs with a median pay of more than $30 per hour.

Another example from the energy industry is South Arkansas Community College’s Process Technology program, also a stackable credential (technical certificate that leads to an associate degree) developed in partnership with El Dorado Chemical, Lion Oil (now Delek US Holdings Inc.), and Great Lakes (now LANXESS). Graduates are employed as refinery operators, chemical operators, and process technicians that control and monitor the systems that run industrial plants. This short-term credential leads to jobs with a median pay of approximately $25 per hour, plus overtime.

STEM certificates and degrees are more affordable than ever thanks to the state’s new AR Future grant, a last-dollar scholarship designed to increase the number of Arkansas citizens trained in STEM and regional high-demand fields. Students enrolled in Arkansas public institutions seeking qualifying certificates or degrees may apply for the grant through the Arkansas Department of Higher Education to help cover tuition and fees.

The state’s unemployment rate is among the lowest in the nation, but employers still have a high need for more skilled workers.

It is more important than ever for state and business leaders to support training opportunities for community college students by partnering to provide resources such as instructors, equipment, and guidance in developing and expanding training programs to meet specific work-force needs.

Additionally, it is imperative to educate high school students about these sorts of high-demand, high-tech career opportunities, as well as the scholarship opportunities available to help pay for the cost of training.

For more information on Arkansas Community Colleges: www.arkansascc.org.

For more information on the AR Future grant: www.adhe.edu.

Bill Stovall is executive director of Arkansas Community Colleges. He has been a successful small-business owner and has numerous years of public service experience at the county and state levels.