ARKANSAS NORTHEASTERN COLLEGE TO OFFER FREE
WORKFORCE READINESS PROGRAMS
PARTNERS WITH BIG RIVER STEEL FOR FUTURE HIRING
PROCESS
OSCEOLA, Arkansas As Arkansas’ newest super-project, Big River
Steel, begins construction in Mississippi County, Arkansas, Arkansas Northeastern College
(ANC) has announced two workforce readiness programs to aid local residents
hoping to join the company’s team — both offered at no cost to the student.
In preliminary meetings with representatives of Big River Steel,
ANC recognized the company’s desire to provide job opportunities to residents
of the local community. To meet those needs, ANC’s workforce training division,
The Solutions Group, will focus on providing all levels of job preparation.
“Providing accessible educational and training opportunities is
our mission, and we are proud to offer workforce training to our local
companies and new companies coming to the area such as Big River Steel. The
Solutions Group has garnered national recognition for its innovation and
flexibility, and we are glad to offer that experience and knowledge to the
economic development of this region,” said Dr. James Shemwell, President of
Arkansas Northeastern College.
ANC’s Construction Technology and Workforce Orientation &
Retraining Keys (WORK) programs have been implemented prior to Big River
Steel’s location to the area to get a head start on meeting the employment
needs that will arise as well as several other announced projects such as
BlueOak Arkansas, SMS Millcraft, Mid-River Terminal, Jefferson Iron &
Metal, and future not-yet-known ventures.
Working in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Workforce
Services, ANC also will assist Big River Steel in its hiring procedure by
funneling the application process through its website and Workforce Development
Office. The company is partnering with ANC to oversee the large amount of job
seekers expected. This will provide a consistent and uncomplicated method by
which to apply for a position within the company as well as learn about
available training opportunities. The ANC website will post the application
procedure as soon as the hiring process is ready which is expected to occur in
the spring of 2015.
“Every
individual inquiring about a job is important to us,” said Mark Bula, Chief
Commercial Officer for Big River Steel. “We want applicants to have access to
consistent information about available opportunities for employment and related
training. As such, we look forward to working closely with Arkansas
Northeastern College as we begin to implement our hiring plans.”
Additionally, ANC will work with the contractors selected by Big
River Steel to supply training for construction skills so that the level of local
employees will be maximized. ANC has already implemented a new certificate
program in Construction Technology to begin preparing individuals as several
new companies in the area increase the need for construction employees,
including the Big River Steel mill which will require approximately 2,000
workers While Big River Steel serves as a catalyst for the execution of both
ANC’s WORK Program and the Construction Technology Certificate Program, these
programs are designed to prepare workers for a number of employment
opportunities with a wide variety of local companies.
“It’s an exciting time in Mississippi County as growth becomes a
reality. It will have an impact throughout our entire region, and we are proud
to implement new programs to meet the needs of our local companies and
citizens. To this effort, we expand our training region-wide and partner with
our sister institutions to maximize the training potential,” said Gene Bennett,
ANC Dean for Economic Development.
ANC is working in cooperation with other colleges in the Arkansas
Delta Training & Education Consortium (ADTEC), including Arkansas State
University-Newport, East Arkansas Community College, and Mid-South Community
College, so that those colleges also may offer programs as a regional
initiative in the very near future.
One such program conceived by ANC is Workforce
Orientation & Retraining Keys (WORK). This 60-clock hour program was
developed to provide basic workplace skills to members of the community with
little or no prior work experience.
“We’re already seeing success with our WORK
program,” said Bennett who added that the training was designed to lift
unemployed individuals out of poverty and give them the skills to become
employable. “There are a lot of jobs out there and a lot of jobs coming. We
need able bodied people ready to fill them.”
The WORK Program provides individuals with the
necessary skills and support network to access economic opportunity. Community
mentors work with each WORK participant throughout the eight weeks of training
and extending until the participant has successfully maintained employment for
90 days.
WORK participants have the opportunity to earn
financial incentives during training to help remove barriers to employment,
such as funds to purchase work clothes or specialized footwear. Completers of
the WORK program have the opportunity to obtain a certificate of WORK
completion, an American Heart Association CPR card, a Career Readiness
Certificate (CRC), and job interview opportunities with local employers.
WORK represents a comprehensive partnership effort among Arkansas
Northeastern College, the Great River Economic Development Foundation, the
Mississippi County Equal Opportunity Commission, area industries, community and
faith-based leaders, and the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation. Those interested
in the WORK Program can contact Coordinator Doug Echols at 870-838-9905.
Additionally, the
Construction Technology Program is designed to prepare students for entry level
construction jobs. Students are taught the basics of construction safety,
math, and power and hand tools. Students also develop skills in
construction welding, concrete finishing, rigging, and light equipment usage.
The goal of the program is to help the student acquire skills that can be used
to enter the workplace and be a versatile member of a construction team. This
program can be completed in only one semester or less. Individuals interested
in Construction Technology can contact Kortnie Driskill at 870-763-6222.
In an effort to expand
the local workforce to meet growing needs, both the certificate program in
Construction Technology and the WORK Program are offered at no cost to
students. Additionally, both programs are short-term (either 10 or 16 weeks for
construction and eight weeks for WORK) to provide individuals a fast-track to
employment.
