Developing an Arkansas Workforce for the Future

Arkansas is diverse. Different communities have unique needs that require individual attention, but, as I visited all corners of the state in August, there was a consistent message – we need more skilled workers.

I saw the need for a better trained workforce in Northeast Arkansas which is now home to the top steel-producing congressional district in the nation thanks to incredible growth in this increasingly technical industry. Other regions of our state are seeing expansion in areas like defense manufacturing, construction, healthcare, education and more. However, we need to improve local residents’ awareness and access to programs that teach these in-demand skills so current job gains translate into long-term success.

One of the factors is generational. You may have heard about the Silver Tsunami as the last 3.4 million members of the Baby Boom turn 65 over the next few years. Employers see the wave coming and know they need the next generation to fill the gap. Right now, the average doctor is 54 years old and the average farmer is 59.

At the same time, young people entering the workforce today have already faced historic challenges. The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis reports that 18 to 24-year-olds have experienced two distinct economies early in their lives. One was disrupted by the pandemic and a recession, and the other characterized by high inflation and the tightest labor markets since World War II. These outside factors upended many opportunities in education, job training and other normal building blocks of a successful future.

The good news is, Arkansas is rising to meet these challenges by creating and championing programs to help young people connect with job skills and high-wage careers in their communities.

A great example is the Be Pro Be Proud initiative, first launched in Arkansas, that establishes great partnerships between education and industry across the state. It is a great first stop for young people seeking technical and vocational learning that matches aptitudes and interests with real-world jobs. We’re also seeing success in programs like the Peak Innovation Center in Fort Smith where high school students can train in critical occupations and graduate high school with certificates and marketable skills.

It is also exciting to see unique efforts like the Meat Market at Arkansas State University that Senator Tom Cotton, Congressman Rick Crawford and I recently visited. This USDA-licensed facility gives hands-on experience to students in agriculture programs, provides meat snacks for local school kids and makes products sold at a farmers’ market.

The Arkansas Army National Guard and Black River Technical College recently announced a partnership they hope will retain young workers in the state and encourage more veterans to call The Natural State home.

In Northwest Arkansas, the HIRED Program is helping young people connect with training and jobs in the region, especially for students in rural districts who may not be familiar with their options.

We must continue to look ahead to the next 10, 20, 30 years and beyond to make sure the next generation of workers are ready to take their place in creating Arkansas’s future. That is a goal I will continue pursuing together with partners across the public and private sector.