University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College Chancellor Margaret Ellibee
The University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College has partnered with the Arkansas Air National Guard for training and education programs in cybersecurity and aviation technology.
The programs will allow students and airmen to advance their skills in two growing industries, improving the state’s labor pool and providing a recruiting pipeline for the National Guard.
Over the past four weeks, 10 members of the 189th Airlift Wing have been participating in an aircraft maintenance test program that Col. David Allen described as a “high-velocity targeted skills course.” Members of the 189th include experienced professionals in the aviation and aerospace industries, Allen said, but the majority are “weekend warriors” who are always looking to improve their skills.
“In short, these skills are not only a mission-enhancer for the Air National guard, but also an economic catalyst for the aerospace industry within the state,” Allen said.
The cybersecurity internship program pairs students with airmen from the 223rd Cyberspace Operations Squadron at the Little Rock Air Force Base. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Bill Cox, who oversees the program, said students are trained to respond to real-world threats.
“Right from the start, they’re immersed, right like if they were working for any cyber-operations center at any one of the big companies,” Cox said. “So they get a lot of hands-on experience doing that.”
The first student has already completed the eight-week internship. When he graduates and begins looking for a job, he’ll find more than 1,400 cybersecurity positions in Arkansas and more than 467,000 across the U.S., according to the Forge Institute of Little Rock.
University Chancellor Margaret Ellibee said the programs advance the school’s curriculum by providing relevant and rigorous learning experiences. She said they also support innovative businesses.
“This partnership is absolutely essential and we are going to sustain this partnership going forward,” she said.
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