JobReady: December 2017 Issue

December


2017


A Publication of the Arkansas Department of Career Education







































































From Arkansas to Outer Space:

Northeast Arkansas Students Are

Now a Part of NASA

On the cover Table of Contents



Students of the Northeast Arkansas
Career & Technical Center
(NEACTC) in Jonesboro have Adult Education Organizations
the opportunity to work for NASA Centers Share
through NASA's HUNCH program. 4 Around the State
Success Stories at Celebrate National
More information about From 4 Arkansas' Night In Apprenticeship
Arkansas to Outer Space:
Northeast Arkansas Students Week
Are Now a Part of NASA on
Page 6. Around the State From Arkansas
5 Department of Career Northeast Arkansas
Check out what the
to Outer Space:

Education has been up
to around the state. 6 Students Are Now a
December 2017 Part of NASA


A public information publication Inaugural
of the Arkansas Department of Graduation
Career Education. CVS, ACTI Open Ceremony
Director 8 Mock Pharmacy to 10 Held for Pre-
Charisse Childers, Ph.D. Groom Students for Employment

Communications Department Careers in Retail Services to
Dustin Barnes Youth with
Susan King Disabilities
Chip McAfee
Caty Sample
Ellice Scales Upcoming Events
[email protected]

Arkansas Department of Dec. 7, 2017 Dec. 12, 2017
Career Education State Rehabilitation Council Career Education and
Three Capitol Mall (SRC) Meeting Workforce Development
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 525 W. Capitol Ave. Board Meeting
501-682-1500 Little Rock, AR 72201 525 W. Capitol Ave.
501-682-1509 fax 9:30 a.m. Little Rock, AR 72201
1:30 p.m.
ARCareerEd.org


Dec. 20, 2017 Dec. 25-26, 2017

Arkansas Kidney Disease Christmas
Commission (AKDC) In observance of Christmas,
Board Meeting all state offices will be
Adult Education 525 W. Capitol Ave. closed.
Arkansas Rehabilitation Services
Career & Technical Education Little Rock, AR 72201
Office of Skills Development 12:00 p.m.

Board Member's Update


id you know that Arkansas which lead to much lower
has an employment problem? absenteeism rates. This Hugh McDonald,
DYes, Arkansas businesses workforce can become your Career
have approximately 30,000 jobs safest and most productive. Education and
Workforce
that need to be filled. Unfortunately, You just need to find the Development
businesses are having great right job for them. Board Chairman
difficulty filling them because • On average, costs of
applicants don’t have the proper workplace accommodations
skills, are in the wrong location or are minimal (<$750) and federal tax dollars and will engage
cannot pass a pre-employment test. are most likely borne by a with you and your business on how
An often-overlooked prospective government agency, not the to fully integrate disabled employees
employee market, key to helping employer; into your organization. Give them
solve this challenge are disabled • Overall employee morale a call and give an employee with
employees. Unfortunately, the improves and customers a disability a chance to boost your
lack of information and knowledge have a positive view of business and their life, for the better.
of the facts, that hiring employees your company because of The Arkansas Department of
with disabilities can create a a disabled-inclusive hiring Career Education (ARCareerEd)
positive business case to your policy. works around the state to provide
organization’s effectiveness are It’s good business and you services and programs to prepare
largely misunderstood. do good at the same time. We individuals for education and training
Examples of national statistics, all know someone that has been to enter the workforce or to advance
studies and real-life experiences affected by a disability and any one in an existing career. ARCareerEd’s
by many employers (Microsoft, of us could become disabled at any goal is to ensure all students and
Walgreens, Home Depot, AMC time yet still have much to offer. clients have an opportunity to gain
Theaters…), demonstrate employing Arkansas was recently ranked #1 in meaningful employment using our
workers with disabilities is good for the nation by US News and World resources.ARCareerEd is focused
your business. Report for employing people with on guaranteeing that industry-
Here’s why: disabilities. This is in large measure coordinated, demand-driven
• 48% lower turnover rates because of the professionals at programs exist to better prepare our
than non-disabled; medical Arkansas Rehabilitation Services. students and clients for long-term
costs 67% lower; and time This state agency is providing a career success.
off expenses 73% lower, great return on your state and




Program Spotlight: Office of Skills Development



overnor Asa Hutchinson businesses to invest in training, Skills Development, are designed
signed Act 892, which to maintain and increase the to provide career and technical
Gcreated the Office of Skills competitiveness, efficiency, and education programs too costly
Development (OSD), during the economic status of the Arkansas for the local high schools to
90th General Assembly in the 2015 workforce. offer. These centers are typically
Legislative Session. A division OSD oversees 100 sponsored by high schools, post-
within the Department of Career programs providing education secondary institutions, technical
Education, this office is responsible and structured on the job training institutes, or education service
for aligning career and technical to over 5,000 apprentices, cooperative. There are currently
education programs with the skills primarily professionals requiring 26 centers and 22 related satellite
needed by business and industry certifications and licenses. locations designed to serve high
throughout the state of Arkansas. Secondary Technical school students within a defined
OSD provides grants to centers, overseen by the Office of region.


3

Adult Education Centers Share Success Stories at Arkansas' Night In

othing is more powerful than refreshments, and students were
word of mouth, and Arkansas incentivized to bring guests to
NAdult Education students, Arkansas' Night In. Those who
graduates, and partner employers brought at least one friend or relative
around the state shared their stories were entered into a drawing for a $50
of success at Arkansas’ Night In. gift card. Each participating center
Adult Education centers around gave away four gift cards to students.
the state opened their doors on In addition to the excitement of the
Wednesday, November 8th from 5:00 giveaways, several centers reported The Little Rock School District Adult
p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for a simultaneous that guests signed up for classes! Education Program is one site that
open house. Centers presented Adult education graduates are participated in Arkansas' Night In.
information about each of its more likely to be employed full-
programs, displayed in a job-fair style time and minimum wage workers
setting. Teachers were also present increased wages by 18 to 25 percent
to answer questions from prospective within 18 months of exiting an adult
students. education program.
Guests enjoyed light






Organizations Around the State Celebrate National Apprenticeship Week













Northwest Arkansas Plumbing School
celebrates National Apprenticeship Week U.S. Department of Labor Office of
with a chili cook-off on Nov. 17. Apprenticeship State Director Lee Price
talks to students from Waldron High School
about Apprenticeship at the Transition
Expo in Fort Smith.

Third year apprentice Amy Bagwell
works on the “Ideal Tools” skills test while
fifth year apprentices DJ Tyous and Louis
Dorrell look on.









Fourth year apprentices Adam Duncan
NAFT and Northwest Arkansas and Aaron Burnett try their hand at the
Plumbing School provide 240 pizzas for “3-Point Saddle” pipe bending test, while ACTA (ABS of Arkansas) celebrates
the apprentices at the open houses in the fifth year student Dock Yarberry looks National Apprenticeship Week with a pizza
Farmington and Springdale on Nov. 13-14. on. party on Nov. 13.

4

Bismarck Camden




















The Ouachita County Medical Center,
U.S. Representative Bruce Westerman located in Camden, is now a host site
th
Little Rock (R-4 District) spoke at the Arkansas FFA for Project SEARCH , an innovative job
®
Alumni State Conference.
training program for young adults with
disabilities. It is a partnership between
ACCESS Group, Inc., and Arkansas
Yellville Rehabilitation Services, a division of
the Arkansas Department of Career
Education. UAMS (Little Rock), Arkansas
Children’s Hospital (Little Rock), CHI
St. Vincent (Hot Springs), St. Bernards
Medical Center (Jonesboro), St. Mary's
Regional Medical Center (Russellville),
and the Washington Regional Medical
Center (Fayetteville) also serve as host
sites for this program.

The Little Rock Field Office hosted a
Transition Fair for the Little Rock area Yellville-Summit High School Food and
high school students. The event took Nutrition students, led by Marlene Hada Hot Springs
place at NOAH's Event Center. Students (Family and Consumer Sciences teacher),
participated in a scavenger hunt that participated in the National Restaurant
exposed them to career options that are Associations' Food Handler on-line training
available in life after high school. and received the industry certification
(ServSafe certification).
®

Little Rock Arkadelphia















Laura Parker from the Hot Springs
Tynesha Ivory, a counselor for the Hot Field Office and Sydney Washington,
Springs Field Office, provided information a counselor in the Benton Field Office,
FFA State Reporter Morgan Seymour on how ARS can help prepare students provided information about ARS at the
and members from the Greenbrier with disabilities for life after high school Arkansas Association of Continuing Adult
FFA were part of the Turkey Week during a college fair at Arkadelphia High Education and Arkansas Literacy Council
Proclamation at the State Capitol. School. (AACAE) Conference.

5

From Arkansas to Outer Space:

Northeast Arkansas Students Are Now a Part of NASA




ot many people have the
opportunity to work for
NNASA, and even fewer
have that opportunity to do it while
they are in high school. However,
students of the Northeast
Arkansas Career & Technical
Center (NEACTC) in Jonesboro
will soon be able to add that
distinction to their resumes.
NEACTC recently was
accepted into NASA’s HUNCH
program. HUNCH, which stands
for High Schools United with NASA
to Create Hardware, is a program
that shows high school students
the different ways they can put
their talents to work for NASA
beyond becoming an astronaut.
This program began as a way to NEACTC Advanced Manufacturing students discuss details of blueprints for a project.
get students who are skilled in
manufacturing, machinery, welding
and other skills involved in NASA.
Now, NEACTC will be a part of Bob Zeek, HUNCH cofounder Koster, a junior at Jonesboro High
that. and program manager, said the School. “Being able to make
Ricky Barker, Instructor career and technical center is an parts for NASA is just amazing
of Advanced Manufacturing ideal place for the program. opportunity that most people will
at NECACTC, ran across the “NEACTC is a one-stop shop never get the chance to do.”
program while watching some – utilizing multiple curriculums Not only is this experience
training videos with his class. that support the NASA HUNCH rewarding for the students right
Once he realized they met all the model. With multiple curriculums now, but this is also something
criteria, he applied and was thrilled co-located on campus students that can be a huge career booster
to find out they would be visited can share the different stages of down the road.
by a NASA representative as the the projects from inception to the “I think this is a huge step
final step to becoming part of the finished project,” Zeek said. forward for this Career & Tech
program. All projects that the students Center and these students,”
Barker said the inspection visit complete will support the said Kennedy Brown, a senior
went very well. International Space Station and at Jonesboro High School, who
“He [the NASA representative] the next generation of NASA’s wants to become a mechanical
basically approved us just a few Space Launch System. This once engineer. “We’ll be able to put on
minutes after he walked in the in a lifetime opportunity has the our résumé that we’ve run parts
door. He was very impressed with students at the center very excited. for NASA and that’s a pretty big
our students and our state of the “I think it’s great,” said Byron thing.”
art equipment,” Barker said.


6

From Arkansas to Outer Space:

Northeast Arkansas Students Are Now a Part of NASA





















Kennedy Brown and Jackson Clayton
work on milling a piece of equipment.












Advanced Manufacturing Instructor, Rick Barker, shows students a procedure on a
CNC Milling Machine.








Students write code for upcoming
projects.























Students look over the blueprints for a
Nathan Swindle and Jackson Clayton use calipers to measure the dimensions of a part. part needing to be made.

7

CVS, ACTI Open Mock Pharmacy to Groom Students for Careers in Retail


t the Arkansas Career Technical
Institute (ACTI), there's a space
Aon campus that has everyone
talking. That area contains bright
lights and blue paint, along with
everyday items, like paper towels,
tissue, and cleaning supplies. For the
students who work in the space, this
area is more than a store. It's the look
of opportunity.
"To come here and to see all of
these people here working toward
helping you get a good job and a
good career, I can't thank the people
enough for the chance I've been
given," said Abigail Ford, a student
focusing in business and marketing.
Ford is one of seven ACTI
students who are training in the CVS
Mock Pharmacy, which is now located
on the campus. The goal is to prepare
students with disabilities for careers at Yani Hurst, CVS Workforce Initiatives Manager, and Jonathan Bibb, Administrator of
CVS Pharmacy locations across the Arkansas Career Training Institute cut the ribbon during the grand opening of the CVS
country. Students receive classroom Health Mock Pharmacy Training Program at ACTI.
and hands-on training, such as
delivering top-notch customer service,
stocking shelves, and working on cash of CVS and those core values match Education, said the partnership shows
registers. my core values. It's rare to see a how collaboration between academic
The new mock pharmacy at company the size of CVS still carry centers and businesses can benefit
ACTI is one of eight locations that that small-town, family-run business students.
CVS Health will open in spring mind-set." ACTI is overseen by Arkansas
2018 and comes, as a result, a Each center contains equipment Rehabilitation Services, which is a
partnership between the company similar to that which is used in an division of the Arkansas Department of
and the National Consortium of actual CVS Pharmacy. Individuals Career Education.
State-Operated Comprehensive who complete the program qualify to "Today is a great example of how
Rehabilitation Centers (NCSOCRC). apply for a position at the store. our agency can play an important role
The new mock pharmacy at ACTI is CVS representatives traveled to in the development of a much-needed
one of eight locations the company will the Hot Springs facility for the ribbon- workforce and providing the skills and
open by spring 2018. In addition to cutting ceremony. training that is needed by CVS and by
two locations which previously opened "CVS is committed to breaking others," Childers said.
in Fishersville, Va., and Johnstown, down barriers that people with Students said the intense training
Pa., CVS Health plans to support disabilities face. It's all about abilities," that they have received thus far
mock pharmacy training facilities said Yani Hurst, CVS' Workforce encourages them to learn all they can
in Baltimore, Md.; Plainwell, Mich.; Initiatives Manager. "This is why our so they can not only get a job but be
Smyrna, Tenn.; Warm Springs, Ga.; company works so hard to be able independent.
and Thelma, Ky. to provide people in Arkansas and "We've been learning versatile
"I love it," said Ryleigh Glaze, across the entire nation opportunities skills that go into everything that
another business and marketing that create stable jobs and stable you use at work – not just for if you
student who is training at the mock communities." work at CVS. I think it is an amazing
pharmacy. "One of the first things Charisse Childers, Ph.D., Director program," Ford said.
that we learned was the core values of the Arkansas Department of Career


8

CVS, ACTI Open Mock Pharmacy to Groom Students for Careers in Retail





















Yani Hurst, CVS Workforce Initiatives
Manager, and Council Powell, CVS
Regional Manager (at podium), address
the crowd during the opening words at the
grand opening of the CVS Health Mock
Pharmacy Training Program at ACTI.



CVS leaders, ACTI faculty, and ACTI students in the CVS pharmacy program celebrate
the grand opening of CVS Health Mock Pharmacy Training Program at ACTI.














Ryleigh Glaze and Lauren Hayes,
students in the CVS Pharmacy Training
Program at ACTI, reveal the new CVS
Health Mock Pharmacy.




















Council Powell, CVS Regional Manager
Luke Stripling and Mikhail Randolph, students in the CVS Pharmacy Training Program talks with students in the CVS Pharmacy
at ACTI, reveal the new CVS Health Mock Pharmacy. Training Program at ACTI.


9

Inaugural Graduation Ceremony Held for Pre-Employment Services to Youth with Disabilities

ive students who are independent living skills, conflict
housed at the Arkansas resolution, interview preparation,
FJuvenile Assessment and and financial literacy. Upon exiting
Treatment Center in Alexander the facility, each student enrolled
have just completed the first-ever will be transferred to an Arkansas
"Creating Opportunity for Youth" Rehabilitation Services counselor to
program, which provides career- continue the path of career planning,
based training to juveniles with which includes training and services
documented disabilities at the that lead to long-term employment.
Alexander facility. The goal is to "Our goal here is to ensure that
facilitate work behaviors, habits, and all students, no matter what setting
skills that will promote competitive they are in, will receive quality
integrated employment for students training focused on employability,
once they exit the secondary school the motivation to become employed,
setting. and skill building," said Alan
The program is a joint effort McClain, Commissioner of Arkansas
between Arkansas Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Services. "Never
Services (ARS), a division of the before have we had the ability to
Arkansas Department of Career prepare young people directly with
Education; Goodwill Industries of intensive services. Never before
Arkansas, Rite of Passage, and have the services been provided
the Division of Youth Services, in a youth facility in Arkansas. This
a component of the Arkansas program is the first of its kind for our
Department of Human Services. The state," he said.
students that will be served in this These services are made
program at the facility are between possible by new federal regulations
the ages of 16 and 21. that were published on August 19,
Research has shown that youth 2016, by the Workforce Innovation
with disabilities are at a higher and Opportunity Act (WOIA). The
rate for involvement in the juvenile federal regulations allow vocational
justice system. Also, youth with rehabilitation agencies to build and
learning disabilities and those with support programs for students while
emotional or behavioral disorders they are still in high school, which
are punished at higher rates than encourage training and planning that
their peers who do not have a lead to meaningful careers.
documented disability. "We are excited to be involved
Earlier this year, ARS, Goodwill in this meaningful program for these
Industries of Arkansas, and young individuals," said Tenille
the Division of Youth Services Hunter, Director of Disability and
have signed a Memorandum of Work Experience Programs at
Understanding to promote long- Goodwill Industries of Arkansas.
term employment of individuals "As we work with them to develop
with disabilities by concentrating on their interpersonal skills and work
skills they need to be successful, experience, our goal is for them
including workplace readiness to define and achieve their career
training and work-based learning goals," Hunter added.
experiences. Training and learning
experiences include teaching



10

Career Education and Workforce
Development Board
Hugh McDonald, Chairman, Little Rock
Senior Management Team Gina Radke, Vice Chairman, Sherwood
Adam Arroyos, Ph.D., Fayetteville
Jerry Cash, Ed.D., Harrison
Charisse Childers, Ph.D., Director Scott Copas, Little Rock
Lorna Claudio, Chief Financial Officer Michael Garner, Hensley
Stacy Gunderman, Batesville
Otis Dixon, Chief Information Officer Trenia Miles, Ed.D., Deputy Director Troy Keeping, Marion
Chip McAfee, Assistant Director of Bridget Bullard Criner, Associate Director Steve Percival, Little Rock
Communications Jenifer Price, Springdale
DeCarlia Smith, Human Resources Jeff Standridge, Ed.D., Conway
Administrator Keith Vire, Ph.D., Fayetteville
Don Bellcock, Internal Auditor Burton Weis, Fort Smith
D. Alan McClain, Commissioner
Joseph Baxter, Deputy Commissioner Ex-Officio Members
Carl Daughtery, Chief of Field Services/ Richard Abernathy, Ed.D., Executive
Associate Commissioner Director, AR Association of Educational
Jonathan Bibb, Administrator/Associate Administrators
Commissioner, Arkansas Career Training Daryl Bassett, Director, AR Department
Cody Waits, Deputy Director Institute of Workforce Services
Stephanie Isaacs, Associate Director James McCune, Chief Financial Officer Paul Beran, Ph.D., Chancellor, UA Fort
Nathan Winter, Associate Commissioner Smith
Johnny Key, Commissioner, AR
for Access & Accommodations Department of Education
Robert Treviño, Associate Commissioner Maria Markham, Ph.D., Director, AR
for Program, Planning Development & Department of Higher Education
Kathi Turner, Deputy Director Evaluation Mike Preston, Director, AR Economic
Cheryl Wiedmaier, Ph.D., Associate Judy Smith, Transition Director of Special Development Commission
Director Projects Bill Stovall, Executive Director, AR
Sonja Wright-McMurray, Associate Rodney Chandler, Director of Business Community Colleges
Director for Special Programs Engagement


ADULT EDUCATION Lonoke Small Business Program
501-683-2341 501-676-4490 501-683-3582
GED ® Monticello Stay At Work/ Return To Work
501-682-1980 870-367-9669 501-683-6052
ARKANSAS REHABILITATION North Little Rock Services for the
SERVICES 501-833-1490 Deaf & Hard of Hearing (SDHH)
Arkansas Career Training Institute Pine Bluff 501-686-2800
501-624-4411 870-534-2404 TAP (Telecommunications Access
Field Services Offices Russellville Program)
Batesville 479-890-5751 800-981-4463
870-793-4153 Searcy Transition Services
Benton 501-268-4542 501-682-5634
501-317-1390 Texarkana CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION
Booneville 870-773-2807 501-682-1040
479-675-3835 West Memphis Occupational Programs
Conway 870-735-4725 Agricultural Science and Technology
501-730-9725 Alternative Finance Program 501-682-2561
El Dorado 501-296-1663 Business/Marketing Technology
870-862-5451 Arkansas Governor's Commission on 501-682-1768
Fayetteville People with Disabilities Family & Consumer Sciences Education
479-582-1286 501-682-5317 501-682-1115
Fort Smith Arkansas Kidney Disease Commission Office of School Improvement
479-755-3300 (AKDC) 501-682-1616
Harrison 501-686-2807 Skilled and Technical Sciences
870-741-7153 Assistive Technology at Work (AT@ 501-682-1271
Helena Work) State Approving Agency for Veterans
870-338-2753 501-683-3009 Training and Education
Hot Springs Business Engagement 501-324-9473
501-623-4479 501-296-1659 OFFICE OF SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
Jonesboro Increasing Capabilities Access 501-683-1152
870-972-0025 Network (ICAN) Apprenticeship
Little Rock 501-666-8868 501-682-1360
501-686-2800



11

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