The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith has been awarded a $1.7 million Higher Industry Readiness through Educational Development (HIRED) grant, one of just three universities in the state to receive awards from both the Division of Higher Education and the Department of Commerce tracks of the HIRED program. 

"Receiving this $1.7 million HIRED grant from the Division of Higher Education is incredibly exciting for UAFS and our community," said UAFS Chancellor Dr. Terisa Riley. "This funding allows us to establish a Manufacturing Academy that will address workforce needs in advanced manufacturing while helping individuals in our region gain the skills needed for high-paying jobs. With these funds, we will modernize classrooms, upgrade technology, and build on the momentum of the $4 million HIRED grant we received from the Department of Commerce. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to seek these funds from the state of Arkansas and for their belief in the River Valley and in UAFS."

The funding, part of nearly $26 million awarded by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Arkansas Division of Higher Education Commissioner Ken Warden, and Chief Workforce Officer Mike Rogers, will be distributed to 14 recipients across the state to bolster workforce development efforts.

“There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to education, and the HIRED Grant Program helps us meet Arkansas students, schools, and businesses where they are,” Governor Sanders said in a press release. “These grants will help build the workforce of the future and make Arkansas more competitive in industries such as steel manufacturing, aerospace and defense, lithium, and cybersecurity.”

The HIRED grants support state and regional industry partnerships, providing funding for data-driven education and workforce training programs. The program was established under the Workforce Initiative Act of 2015 and is jointly administered by the Arkansas Department of Commerce and the Arkansas Division of Higher Education.

The $1.7 million grant will enable UAFS to establish a Manufacturing Academy at the UAFS Center for Economic Development aimed at addressing critical gaps in the local workforce while supporting unemployed and underemployed individuals in the River Valley region through student stipends, technology, and educational personnel. Additionally, it will allow UAFS to modernize classrooms in the Baldor Building, upgrade classroom technologies, and enhance advanced manufacturing facilities, building on the momentum of the earlier $4 million HIRED grant award.

Kendall Ross, Associate Vice Chancellor for Economic and Workforce Development at UAFS, emphasized the initiative's importance for the region’s economic growth.
“Advanced manufacturing is the future of industry in Arkansas, and this grant ensures UAFS can prepare the workforce needed to support it,” Ross said. “Through hands-on training, updated technology, and facility enhancements, we will empower individuals with the skills to step into high-paying careers and help drive economic growth.”

Dr. Latisha Settlage, dean of the College of Business & Industry at UAFS, highlighted the collaborative effort behind the award. “We are thrilled to receive this additional HIRED grant funding, which allows us to continue plans for implementing new and improved programs in advanced manufacturing engineering. The additional funding will assist in further developing human capital and improving facilities, enabling us to deliver state-of-the-art education.

"UAFS is a proud partner in regional workforce development, and we are grateful to our business and industry partners. It is their strong support that made our proposal competitive. UAFS is committed to providing relevant educational programs to ensure graduates are prepared with the skills needed by employers today and in the future," Settlage said.

The Governor and the Department of Commerce announced $48 million in HIRED training grants in November. The HIRED grants are intended to provide funding for state and regional industry-driven partnerships and data-driven education and workforce training programs. Funding for the grants comes from Arkansas Workforce Initiative grant funding and federal funds.

The grants were awarded as part of the Higher Industry Readiness through Educational Development (HIRED) program, using funding that was established by the Workforce Initiative Act of 2015. In total, $88 million is available through the HIRED Grant program’s two tracks, which are separately administered through the Arkansas Department of Commerce and the Arkansas Division of Higher Education.

“These awards directly align with the Arkansas Workforce Strategy by connecting higher education efforts with the needs of Arkansas employers. This is a win for Arkansas. Employers will have the workforce they need, and employees will earn higher wages by being better trained,” said Warden.


Full press release from the Governor’s Office below:

Governor Sanders, Department of Education Announce an Additional $26.7M in Employer-Driven HIRED Training Grants 
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.– On Thursday, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Arkansas Division of Higher Education Commissioner Ken Warden, and Chief Workforce Officer Mike Rogers, awarded 14 recipients nearly $26 million in HIRED training grants to support workforce development efforts.
 
“There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to education and the HIRED Grant Program helps us meet Arkansas students, schools, and businesses where they are,” said Governor Sanders. “These grants will help build the workforce of the future and make Arkansas more competitive in industries such as steel manufacturing, aerospace and defense, lithium, and cybersecurity."

“These awards directly align with the Arkansas Workforce Strategy by connecting higher education efforts with the needs of Arkansas employers. This is a win for Arkansas. Employers will have the workforce they need and employees will earn higher wages by being better trained,” said Arkansas Division of Higher Education Commissioner Ken Warden.
 
“Arkansas has a longstanding tradition for innovation, work ethic, entrepreneurship, and the trades. It is the right time to invest regionally in our two- and four-year colleges. Employers are asking for specific short-term training and higher education degrees. Part of it is going back to our roots, but also pioneering new spaces,” said Chief Workforce Officer Mike Rogers.

The Governor and the Department of Commerce announced $48 million in HIRED training grants in November. The HIRED grants are intended to provide funding for state and regional industry-driven partnerships and data-driven education and workforce training programs. Funding for the grants comes from Arkansas Workforce Initiative grant funding and federal funds.

The grants were awarded as part of the Higher Industry Readiness through Educational Development (HIRED) program, using funding that was established by the Workforce Initiative Act of 2015. In total, $88 million is available through the HIRED Grant program’s two tracks, which are separately administered through the Arkansas Department of Commerce and the Arkansas Division of Higher Education.

See the full list of grant recipients below:
Track 1 HIRED Grant Recipients:

• Arkansas State University – Beebe, $2,300,000
• Arkansas State University –Three Rivers SCCTC, $2,000,000
• Arkansas Tech University – Ozark Campus, $2,750,000
• Black River Technical College with Arkansas Delta Training and Education Consortium (ADTEC) – $1,675,000
• Ozarka College, $1,550,000
• Southern Arkansas University – Magnolia, $2,750,000
• University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College, $2,500,000
• University of Arkansas Community College – Morrilton, $2,000,000
• University of Arkansas – Data Science, $750,000
• University of Arkansas at Little Rock – Cybersecurity, $750,000
• University of Arkansas at Monticello – Crossett, $2,000,000

• Arkansas State University – Jonesboro, Arkansas Northeastern College, Arkansas State University – Newport, $3,000,000
• University of Arkansas – Semiconductors, $1,000,000
• University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, $1,700,000