Arkansas Next PROS: Bulletin Board

Buzz in key industries, including hundreds of new jobs, scholarships and education opportunities.

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Hope Baking Co. Creates 266 New Jobs in South Arkansas

A small baking company in Hope, announced a $37 million expansion of its southwest Arkansas manufacturing facility. Bread, bread sticks and English muffins are a few of the products made in the facility. The company will continue hiring management positions, mid-level and entry-level positions with the expansion set to be complete at the end of 2025.

Source: katv.com

Madison Ogle

Lithium Boom in Arkansas (could add more jobs to the state!)

ExxonMobil is taking southwest Arkansas by storm. With plans to drill for lithium (the source for electric vehicle batteries), the oil and gas giant secured the rights to begin drilling for the mineral on over 120,000 acres. The goal is for production to begin by 2027, with plans to produce enough lithium to power one million electric vehicles by 2030. This means more jobs and an economic boom for Arkansans!

Source: arkansasadvocate.com

Branch Photography

Fort Smith is Home to Cutting Edge PEAK Innovative Center

Fort Smith Schools is making waves with PEAK, its state-of-the-art, hands-on career training center. Serving high school students in 22 school districts throughout the River Valley, this career exploration academy offers programs in Advanced Manufacturing (WATC), Emerging Art & Design (FSPS), Health Sciences (WATC and FSPS), Information Technology (WATC), Construction Technology (FSPS), and Adult Apprenticeships (FSPS). Throughout the summer, PEAK’s career camps keep students engaged in fields of interest too!

Fort Smith Schools students can attend for free, while others can attend the program at cost. PEAK is offered through a partnership with Western Arkansas Technical Center.

Source: fortsmithschools.org/peak

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The Village Place Prepares the Next Generation of Trade Workers

The Experiential Learning Lab is a transformative program aimed at empowering youth in Arkansas. This paid internship initiative specifically targets students of color in Little Rock, offering them valuable opportunities to delve into skilled trade careers.

Operated by The Village Place, this program extends job opportunities to students aged 12 to 18, facilitating connections with local businesses seeking capable workers while equipping participants with essential skills for their future careers. Since its inception in 2021, the program has successfully engaged 70 students in trade-focused internships. Over $50,000 has been invested in nurturing the potential of children throughout the Little Rock metro area.

Source: katv.com, learninglabar.org

800 More Jobs Coming at Dassault Falcon in Little Rock

The French business jet manufacturer is undertaking a substantial expansion of its facility in Little Rock, heralding a significant achievement with the creation of 800 new jobs. Situated at the Bill & Hillary Clinton National Airport, this expansion is poised to strengthen the company’s capacity for developing its latest business jet and future programs. This initiative builds upon Dassault’s previous $80 million investment in the region, which contributed to the addition of 1,400 jobs within the Arkansas workforce.

Source: arkansasadvocate.com

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Entergy Internship Provides Lasting Lessons in Customer Service

Arkansas energy leader Entergy is recruiting college students to gain early exposure to customer service through a summer-long program. This initiative not only prepares participants for the workforce but also enhances their patience, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.

Entergy also provides apprenticeships for students considering careers as electricians, engineers, lineworkers, and more.

Apply here.

Get a Head Start in Computer Science

University of Arkansas at Little Rock has partnered with the Arkansas Center for Data to create a career pathway for students majoring in computer science. With a combination of scholarships, internships, apprenticeships and career advancement after graduation, students are sure to secure excellent experience in the field—as well as a job soon after graduation. Nearly 130 partner companies have provided 700 apprenticeships to Arkansas residents.

Apply here.

Source: ualr.edu

Lexicon Inc.

“Lex U” Celebrates First Class of Master Millwrights

“The steel industry is a lifeline for communities across the state, especially in Northeast Arkansas, the Steel Capital of America,” said Lexicon Inc. CEO Patrick Schueck. “Lex U’s programs – including this master millwright program at ANC – ensure we can train a highly skilled workforce who are ready to meet the demands of the industry, region and state, while also allowing us to invest in our employees and provide them with the tools and training to advance in their careers. We’re grateful for the partnership with ANC, and we’re immensely proud of the first class of master millwright graduates.”

Source: lexicon.com

Little Rock Soirée

Michael Manning and Tjuana Byrd Manning

Women’s Foundation of Arkansas’ Tjuana Byrd Internship Program

This 12-week program empowers young women of color in Arkansas pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (including finance and related fields). Named after the first Black president of WFA, Tjuana Byrd, its mission is to remove barriers such as financial constraints and geographic location, providing a level playing field for all participants.

Interns receive comprehensive benefits including free housing, mentorship opportunities, workshop programs, and networking events.

Support for the program comes from local companies like Stone Bank, Acxiom, Dassault Falcon Jet, Southwest Power Pool, Windstream, Arvest and more.

Source: katv.com

Cool Greenway Ag-Tech Apprenticeship

This two-year program allows students to earn John Deere certifications and be hired full-time at Greenway Equipment. Students can also earn an associate degree in applied science in agricultural equipment technology, along with being trained on various machinery components such as engine systems, power trains, hydraulics and more. The only requirements are a high school diploma, an accepted score on the ACT or APT, passing the mechanical reasoning text, and acceptance for sponsorship by Greenway are training.

For more information, visit gogreenway.com