NPC Receives $500K From Windgate Foundation for New Welding Facility

National Park College

National Park College in Hot Springs (NPC) has received a $500,000 grant from the Windgate Foundation to support the college’s new welding facility, which is scheduled to open in August.

The investment aims to strengthen workforce training opportunities and expand access to high-demand skilled trades education for students across the region.

The welding facility is supported through a combination of public and private investment, including a $6 million Higher Industry Readiness through Educational Development (HIRED) grant awarded to NPC by the Arkansas Department of Commerce and $200,000 from the Oaklawn Foundation.

The Windgate Foundation’s grant will enhance instructional equipment and expand student access through scholarships. $300,000 is designated for welding equipment, $100,000 for an equipment challenge grant and $100,000 ($50,000 per year) for student scholarships across two years.

To receive the full benefit of the challenge grant, NPC must raise an additional $100,000 for welding equipment by the end of the year. Once met, the challenge will bring the total equipment funding for the welding facility to $500,000.

The two-story welding facility will include approximately 8,000 SF of lab space and material storage, along with an additional 2,500 SF of covered outdoor welding space.

Plans include three classrooms, administrative offices with a multi-use conference room and a student mezzanine overlooking the welding lab. The facility will house 30 work booths, a plasma cutter and other modern equipment designed to support both credit and non-credit workforce training programs.

“This grant represents an extraordinary investment in our students and our region,” NPC President Wade Derden said in a press release. “The Windgate Foundation’s support allows us to expand hands-on training opportunities that lead directly to meaningful, well-paying careers.”