Arkansas Tech Career Center, a technical and career training entity operated by Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus, received a $664,325 grant from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, the school announced Friday.
The funds will enhance the center’s capacity to deliver automation technology education and greater rural access to career education.
“As shown from an ATU-Ozark survey of partner industries, skill sets in industrial automation technology are of current and anticipated need,” Bruce Sikes, chancellor of Arkansas Tech-Ozark Campus said in a news release. “We also know through workforce development region data that manufacturing and production jobs are among the highest projected growth sectors across both regions our alliance encompasses.”
ATCC is located in Russellville with satellite locations in Clarksville, Danville and Paris.
The grant will help create the Arkansas Tech University Career Training Alliance, which will give students access to “stackable degrees” that will allow them to progress to an Associate of Applied Science degree in automation technology and continue through a baccalaureate degree program at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to receive real-world training relevant to our industry partners’ needs,” Patricia Edmunds, director of ATCC said in a news release. “It will also address our state’s need for individuals with highly technical skill sets. Doing so will allow Arkansas to retain and attract growing industries with high demand for job growth.”
Funds from the grant will also allow the ATCC to acquire new equipment and hire new faculty members in automation technology.
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