Cindi Marsiglio, vice president of U.S. Sourcing and Manufacturing at Wal-Mart, said the retailer has invested in domestic manufacturing education and experience.
The Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and the Associated Industries of Arkansas announced Tuesday the launch of the “Be Pro Be Proud” initiative, an effort to bring new professionals into the state’s skilled technical workforce.
According to Randy Zook, president and CEO of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, today’s skilled professional workforce is beginning to retire and there aren’t enough young people trained to take their jobs.
The chamber says there are about 60,000 job openings in Arkansas, and the majority are in high-skilled technical fields. Industries such as construction and trucking are also struggling to find qualified technical professionals.
Zook called the “Be Pro Be Proud” initiative an “important and extraordinary effort.”
“The skills gap has widened with increasing speed and an increasing number of skilled workers are retiring,” Zook said at a news conference. “A major part of the skills gap will be addressed through this program and we want to show the value and opportunity young adults can realize in a technical career.”
The initiative is using a mobile unit to travel the state and visit companies, schools and events to showcase skilled trade professions and broaden awareness of their impact on our state’s workforce.
“Be Pro Be Proud” targets high school and nontraditional students, skilled professionals, legislators, parents, teachers, career coaches and employers. Its goal is to showcase skilled professionals’ vocational pride, highlight career opportunities available within these trades and provide necessary resources and training.
The chamber said about 82 percent of companies regularly have positions they’re unable to fill with qualified workers. About 44 percent of average, entry-level salaries for these open positions start at or above $31,000.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson; Chris Masingill, federal co-chairman of the Delta Regional Authority; and Cindi Marsiglio, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. of Bentonville’s vice president of U.S. sourcing and manufacturing, also spoke at the news conference in support of the program.
The Delta Regional Authority, Wal-Mart, Truck Centers of Arkansas, the Arkansas Trucking Association, Associated General Contractors of America – Arkansas, Nucor Steel, Entergy, Welsco, Haas Automation, Pace Industries, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services and the Arkansas Department of Career Education are supporting the initiative and providing money for the campaign.
Sign up for Daily E-news
