Arkansas Northeastern College

As a comprehensive, two-year state institution of higher education, Arkansas Northeastern College (anc.edu) offers in-demand programs and services while also offering the lowest tuition in the state. At ANC, preparing people for the workforce is a priority, and through its assortment of certificate and degree programs, students can train for highwage careers in less time.

“I see a lot of renewed interest in career programs by students, and that has certainly made career technical education opportunities very popular,” said Dr. Jamie Frakes, dean of allied technologies. “A lot of students who are leaving high school have been told they need to go to the four-year university or the four-year college to succeed, and I think a lot of students and their families are recognizing that coming to a place like Arkansas Northeastern College is going to give them a leg up in their career pursuit by pursuing one of a variety of certificates that we offer. Students are recognizing that’s the path that they want to take and that that path provides a lot of opportunities. It’s exciting.”

One such short-term, high-wage-earning program is construction technology. And, for a limited time, ANC’s one-semester program is being offered for free through the Ready For Life Grant. In addition to offering this curriculum at no cost, ANC will award those students completing the program a tool set valued at $250, giving them a great start in a new career.

The program is free while funds last and it is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Graduates in this field have the opportunity to earn high wages with a short-term time investment. According to the 2019 Economic Security Report, ANC construction technology graduates earned an average of $57,769 in their first year of full-time work.

ANC is also a leader in workforce training and education, and home to Arkansas’s only steel technology program. ANC graduates can earn between $70,000 and $100,000 in their first year on the job. To meet employment needs and to reach a wider audience, ANC has customized its two-year, nationally recognized steel technology program so the majority of material can now be completed online.

After an initial two-week orientation, the remainder of the curriculum is available online until the final semester. The last 16 weeks of the program consist of live classes with paid internship possibilities. For those meeting eligibility criteria, financial aid is available for this program as well as assistance in finding residency.

ANC is also home to a Federal Aviation Administration-approved aviation maintenance program where students can earn a one-semester certificate, one-year certificate or a two-year degree. Graduates of ANC’s aviation maintenance programs are prepared to take FAA exams required for certification. This field also offers exciting career opportunities with high wages. ANC’s aviation maintenance graduates are also highly sought for industrial maintenance jobs, providing additional employment opportunities.

In response to students and families interested in a short course in developing small businesses, especially in the wake of COVID-19, ANC has reconfigured its AAS degree in office management to include a newly embedded certificate of proficiency in entrepreneurship. This one-semester program teaches students how to start, develop and be successful in their own small business ventures. The course covers business terminology, basic market analysis, business planning, local governmental requirements, sales tax reporting and basic financial management.

“ANC is working to provide a variety of programs for our students, but also programs that help fill a need in our workforce,” ANC President Dr. James Shemwell said. “We love having our students at ANC, but our goal is to get them educated and/or trained and get them to work. They do not need to spend countless hours and extra money on fields of study that will not help them find good-paying, in-demand jobs.

“We are interested in preparing our students to discover and be successful in careers that will better their lives.”