16 minute read
School Work
from Blueprint 2022
Programs Offer Unique Curriculums to Meet Labor Needs
In 2019, Forbes magazine announced the alarming news: “America is facing an unprecedented skilled labor shortage.”
“According to the Department of Labor, the U.S. economy had 7.6 million unfilled jobs, but only 6.5 million people were looking for work as of January 2019,” the article went on. “It is more apparent than ever that our country is suffering because of it.”
Turns out, the nation hadn’t seen anything yet. One year later, COVID-19 landed on American shores and a labor market that had grown increasingly sick for a decade flatlined altogether. And a year after that, things are still struggling to get back on track.
But chaos and difficulty often produce innovation, and such is the case with Arkansas’s educational system. Across the state, several school systems are taking a comprehensive approach to meeting the labor needs of the community. The best of these programs are not the one-shop-class-a-week approach of the past, but regular, daily instruction that partners with local community colleges and industry, starting in junior high and even elementary school.
The result? More Arkansas students are graduating, or will graduate high school, ready to walk into a waiting job or with some or all of their college training already completed, saving families thousands in tuition. Here’s a snapshot of three such programs that are among the leaders of the new skilled labor movement in Arkansas.
VILONIA PATHWAYS ACADEMY
The 2021-22 school year was a landmark one in the Vilonia School District as it marked the beginning of the Vilonia Pathways Academy, a charter school focusing on careers and technical training eight years in the making.
“To my knowledge, no other program like this exists in Arkansas,” said Cathy Riggins, a career educator and administrator who came up with the idea for the K-12 academy. “We feel like this is the model for workforce education. That’s the whole purpose.
“We need workers; for every four that are retiring there is only one entering the industry, research states. And we feel like we can produce those workers.”
VPA was founded to meet two objectives: provide career education for students who didn’t want to attend a four-year college or university, and back that up with skills training that can be put to work immediately on the job site of the student’s choice.
“A lot of times in education, we look at standards when what we should look at is industry and ask them, ‘What do you need?’” Riggins said. “At some point, I realized I was thinking in a traditional mindset of a shop model, and it was not a shop model that we needed.
“When you think about construction, a lot of people think it’s shovel and pick, but the industry is high-tech these days. There’s so much students are not aware of, and they need exposure to that.”
The more she talked to local construction companies, the bigger Riggins’ idea became until finally a charter school concept was outlined. At every grade level, from kindergarten on up, career and work skills are woven into the day, even in the core subjects of reading, writing and arithmetic.
“It’s putting things into context for even young children,” said Dr. Hank Bray, chairman of UA Little Rock’s Department of Construction Management and Civil and Construction Engineering, and a key partner in the academy. “When [students] learn to read, they learn to read about building projects, buildings and highways instead of other types of stories.
“When they learn math and science, it’s the same concept with word problems like, ‘What’s the distance from here to here on this set of plans?’ There’s constant exposure to the trades through this program and students are able to keep their options open.”
In ninth grade, students choose either a college track curriculum — which dovetails into UA Little Rock’s construction management program, cutting college time in half — or a work track that provides training and allows students to earn various certificates needed to enter their chosen field.
“If they want to, they can graduate from high school with an associate’s degree,” Bray said. “Everything they take in high school would count towards their bachelor’s degree.”
MOUNTAIN HOME HIGH SCHOOL PATHWAYS
For years, career academies have been as much a part of Mountain Home High School as the football team, drama program or the library, helping students plot their next steps after graduation. Now, the process of career discernment and training is undergoing a radical makeover. Called Pathways, it stretches down to the earliest grades in the system, allowing students to get on the path that best ensures their success after graduation.
Currently, there are three academies: agriculture, construction, manufacturing and engineering (ACME); health and human services (HHS); and communication, arts and business (CAB), of which students can attend just one or sample all three during their high school career. Pathways will begin the process much earlier, dividing the process into four broad categories: awareness, exposure, exploration and experience. At each level, students are given age-appropriate opportunities to consider their talents and interests and how those fit into the working world, with education as the key common denominator.
“Pathways really focuses on career-connected learning that spans grades K-12 and into the post-secondary transition,” said Dr. Dana Brown, assistant superintendent of administrative services and former principal of MHHS. “For example, in grades K-5, teachers focus on career awareness by enhancing their current curriculum. When the local fire department does the fire safety unit in kindergarten through fifth grade, teachers can identify and build excitement for careers that tie with that topic. Students then CORBYN STACY
AGE: 14 EDUCATION: Freshman, Vilonia Pathways Academy SNAPSHOT: Stacy decided to give Vilonia Pathways Academy a try as a way to jump-start her career after graduation.
DID YOU HAVE ANY TECHNICAL SKILL BACKGROUND BEFORE GETTING INTO THE ACADEMY? I didn’t have technical skills, but my dad worked in the construction industry for a while and my mom designed the house that we have lived in.
I decided to attend the Vilonia Pathways Academy because I want to be an interior designer, and the construction courses will help me have a better understanding of that world.
HOW WELL HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE LIVED UP TO YOUR EXPECTATIONS? I was nervous about being in the first group in this new program, but as the year has gone on I have become a lot more used to it.
HOW HAVE INSTRUCTORS HELPED YOU CONNECT THE DOTS ON YOUR CAREER PLANS? I have learned a lot about different tools, and I learned a lot about what I would need to do to be an interior designer after a trip to UA Little Rock. I am looking forward to learning more about interior design and art classes that will help me. I’m excited about that.
A lot of the activities we do is going to visit job sites and seeing how all that works. I believe having an understanding of that will help me when I get a job.
WHAT’S BEEN THE MOST HELPFUL THING ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE? I wanted to meet with people who are experts in whatever they do. VPA has given me that opportunity and it has taught me a lot.
FOUR FAST FACTS
COMPUTER CODER/PROGRAMMER • Computers rule the world, therefore demand is high in any number of industries. • Training options abound, from on-the-job to concurrent classes while in high school. • Positions range from diagnostics to writing programs and apps to cybersecurity. • Field presents good opportunities for entrepreneurship.
INTERESTED? See Page 37 for more.
TYLER PHILLIPS
HOMETOWN: Alpena EDUCATION: North Arkansas College SNAPSHOT: Tyler discovered manufacturing automation while still in high school and found the perfect education partner in North Arkansas College in Harrison to pursue his career goals.
WHAT ARE YOU STUDYING AT NORTHARK? I’m in the automation and systems integration program with an emphasis in manufacturing. I’m studying here at NorthArk to become a manufacturing technician.
WHAT DOES A MANUFACTURING TECHNICIAN DO ON THE JOB ON A DAILY BASIS? That job includes a lot of automation in manufacturing equipment like programming robots and programming CNC mills and lathes. NorthArk gives me a lot of hands-on experience here with great manufacturing equipment that is used in the industry every day.
HOW DID YOU DISCOVER THIS CAREER PATH? When I was in high school, I heard about this program so I came to the manufacturing program and got introduced to all the equipment that way. Then when I graduated high school, I knew I wanted to go into the Army Reserves. Once I finished initial training, I came back here and began my two-year degree. All throughout the program, I knew that this is what I wanted to do.
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS IN THIS LINE OF WORK? This program has been the first step to get my bachelor’s degree. Through this I was able to get an internship locally through Pace Industries, where I got a lot of hands-on experience with their manufacturing equipment. It’s given me a really great head start on my future. begin to see a connection between careers and school.”
What makes the project work is the participation of local companies and volunteers who provide internships, mentoring and visit school as speakers on various topics. All with the same goal — to get students into a track that best serves their goals and interests, whether that be a four-year degree or not.
“When we started out, there was still a push for students across the board to attend four-year schools,” said Owen Carpenter, shop teacher. “Even today there’s still the students who say, ‘I don’t know what I want to do. I’m just going to go to college to get my basics.’ I cringe when I hear that. I want to tell them you might as well just start throwing $100 bills at me instead of out the window because that’s what you’re doing.
“Our program here checks all the boxes as far as forming relationships between core classes and career and tech. Four-year schools aren’t for everybody, and this program has helped us shift some students to trades and technical schools, apprenticeships and sometimes just directly into work. We always push some sort of post-secondary training.”
FORT SMITH
Fort Smith has a proud history in manufacturing, so it is probably no surprise that the technical and skilled training there is so well-coordinated between the public school system, local industry and higher education.
The anchor for skilled jobs training there is the Western Arkansas Technical Center, one of nearly 30 secondary technical centers in the state.
“Our program is hosted by UA Fort Smith and it started in 1998,” said Amanda Seidenzahl, center director. “The premise of the secondary technical center is to be a partner in providing career and technical education. We have 22 school districts we work with. These programs would be very costly for the school districts to absorb and offer by themselves.
“Students spend half their day in high school and half their day here. Many of the schools we work with start in the ninth- and 10th-grade years, and now they’re really dropping down into the lower grades, to create a pathway for students to choose to begin the programs that we offer here as juniors and seniors.”
Fort Smith also offers the PEAK Center, a new learning facility focusing on advanced manufacturing, health care sciences, visual arts and information technology. PEAK is projected to more than double the number of career-ready graduates available by 2023, as well as serve local companies by training their employees.
Both PEAK and WATC maintain close ties to local industry to ensure training programs are developing the skills and knowledge base in demand in the area. Currently, WATC offers 11 programs, a list that can change based on feedback from the business community. All programs also stress the importance of soft skills.
“That’s an expectation that our faculties set for them,” Seidenzahl said. “We really talk with them about the employer side of it as they prepare for their career. Teamwork is embedded, conflict resolution is embedded. It gives them that foundation to be a good employee.”
Seidenzahl said all of these resources are having a marked impact on the high school student population as more and more are considering a technical career after high school.
“We still have the ones where this career path was maybe a last-minute decision. When they get in here, we give them an opportunity to determine if these careers are for them or not for them,” she said. “But more students are very focused and very driven today, because they were exposed to opportunities and pathways at a lower grade level. They’ve toured manufacturing facilities or maybe an IT company and they know what that looks like. More and more, they know what they want.”
FOUR FAST FACTS
CNC CODER/OPERATOR • Run computer-controlled precision machinery to formulate parts or components. • In high demand in manufacturing, especially advanced manufacturing operations. • Median annual salary is almost $60,000 in Arkansas. • High tech meets old fashioned craftsmanship. INTERESTED? See Page 36 for more.
BRADLEY ROBERTS
Powering your potential.
At Entergy Arkansas, we believe students like you are the key to a brighter future. That’s why we invest are the key to a brighter future. That’s why we invest in world-class training to prepare you for a successful career. We are proud to support successful career. We are proud to support initiatives that help power your potential. initiatives that help power your potential.
Powering your potential.
AGE: 24 JOB TITLE: Environmental Sampling Technician COMPANY: Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority SNAPSHOT: A native of East End, Roberts has found a home with LRWRA, where he and his co-workers ensure safe, reliable water service for clients. WHAT ARE SOME SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES THAT ARE CRITICAL FOR SOMEONE IN THIS JOB? Technical skill-wise, being proficient with computers and having a basic understanding in all the Microsoft programs is key. From a personality standpoint, being able to keep up with the workload and remembering tasks, being reliable and showing up every day are all critical attributes.
In my role specifically, you have to pay attention to detail, being careful not to contaminate any samples when doing certain testing. That’s even when you have to be out in the weather collecting samples, which can make the job a little more difficult. Ready For Life
Customize your career path. Set yourself up for success with training, guidance and preparation. Together, we power life. Academies of Central Arkansas Prepare for college, career and life.
Ready For Life H-Volt Academy Become a certi ed power Customize your career path. line worker.
Ready For Life Customize your career path.
Set yourself up for success with training, guidance and preparation. Together, we power life. Set yourself up for success with training, guidance and preparation. Together, we power life.
in world-class training to prepare you for a in world-class training to prepare you for a successful career. We are proud to support successful career. We are proud to support At Entergy Arkansas, we believe students like you initiatives that help power your potential. initiatives that help power your potential.are the key to a brighter future. That’s why we invest are the key to a brighter future. That’s why we invest in world-class training to prepare you for a in world-class training to prepare you for a successful career. We are proud to support successful career. We are proud to support initiatives that help power your potential. initiatives that help power your potential.
Powering your potential.
At Entergy Arkansas, we believe students like you are the key to a brighter future. That’s why we invest in world-class training to prepare you for a in world-class training to prepare you for a successful career. We are proud to support successful career. We are proud to support initiatives that help power your potential.
Academies of Central Arkansas
WHAT BASIC AND ONGOING TRAINING DO YOU HAVE TO DO TO PERFORM THIS JOB? LRWRA is very good at letting employees know about all the extra training, job opportunities and other programs. With my job, I worked with my supervisor during the training until I was ready to move on with the job by myself.
A message from Entergy Arkansas, LLC ©2021 Entergy Services, LLC. All Rights Reserved.Prepare for college, career and life. 16629-1 EAL ABPG Print Ad | Layout_8.625x11.125_FINAL.indd 1
IN ADDITION TO TECHNICAL SKILLS, WHAT SOFT SKILLS ARE IMPORTANT FOR SUCCESS IN YOUR ROLE? Working as a group is very important, from cleaning up from the last sampling to helping out with all the paperwork involved. That makes the job go smoother. Helping each other with everyday tasks also builds good relationships and produces a good work ethic. I learned that helping out my co-workers with daily work translates into them helping me out in return. WHAT WOULD YOU WANT SOMEONE TO KNOW ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION AS FAR AS BUILDING A CAREER THERE? The pay and hours here are good; every year, we are implementing new technology to help complete the job more efficiently. LRWRA has great benefits that come along with the job, and the company really helps you have a good retirement plan.
As far as how to succeed here, just have a good work ethic and be willing to do more than is expected. Have an open mind on any situation you help with. You also have to get your ideas across in email and face-to-face conversations as a daily task, so be a good communicator.
Academies of Central Arkansas Prepare for college, career and life. A message from Entergy Arkansas, LLC ©2021 Entergy Services, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
A message from Entergy Arkansas, LLC ©2021 Entergy Services, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
16629-1 EAL ABPG Print Ad | Layout_8.625x11.125_FINAL.indd 1
Customize your career path. Set yourself up for success with training, guidance and preparation. Together, we power life.
A message from Entergy Arkansas, LLC ©2021 Entergy Services, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Academies of Central Arkansas Prepare for college, career and life.
Ready For Life Customize your career path.
H-Volt Academy Become a certi ed power line worker. Set yourself up for success with training, guidance and preparation. Together, we power life.
A message from Entergy Arkansas, LLC ©2021 Entergy Services, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Customize your career path. Set yourself up for success with training, guidance and preparation. Together, we power life. Academies of Central Arkansas Prepare for college, career and life. H-Volt Academy Become a certi ed power line worker.
