Program gives students leg up on industrial education, jobs
A number of Ashdown High School students recently signed up to be a part of the Lockesburg Industrial Maintenance Program, which will begin in the fall. It is a partnership with the University of Arkansas at Cossatot, Weyerhauser and Tyson and will give the students the opportunity to take classes to earn workforce certifications while still in high school.
The two-year program starts Monday.
“The pathway options are mechanical, electrical or a combination of both,” AHS Principal Kay York stated in a news release. “Modules will provide training in electricity, mechanical devices, hydraulics and pneumatics, programmable logic controllers, HVAC, welding, mechatronics, instrumentation and other needed skill sets.”
Classes will be at the Old Lockesburg High School, which recently was renovated for the program. The instructors are certified by their respective industries.
Students can earn certifications in industrial maintenance and OSHA training and from Fastenal, Kennametal, Lennox and other tool manufacturers.
After completing the program, students can use the earned college credits earned toward an Associate of Applied Science in general technology at UA-Cossatot or in support areas related to industrial technology/ electrical.
Tyson Foods reached out to other companies to help form the program, which is designed to satisfy the workforce needs of area manufacturing and processing facilities.
Domtar, Sunderland (Ash Grove) and SWEPCO also are supporting the program.