JobReady: February 2018

February


2018


A Publication of the Arkansas Department of Career Education









































































Career and Technical

Education Month ®

Our Mission: To prepare a job-ready, career-bound
workforce to meet the needs of Arkansas employers.



On the cover Table of Contents


Career and Technical Education
Month celebrates the Around the State
®
accomplishments of the students, Adult Education Check out what the
teachers and staff in CTE programs 4 Salutes Employers 5
across the state. for Hiring Alumni Department of Career
More information about Education has been up
to around the state.
CTE Month on Pages 6-7.
®
8 Circle of Service 9 Classroom to the
From the
ARS Well
Represented at
Kitchen, ACTI’s
Culinary Students
February 2018 Luncheon Are Really Cooking


A public information publication Students
Attend
of the Arkansas Department of Batesville Interactive
Communications Department 10 Students Get 10 Job Readiness
Career Education.
Workshop on
Director
Prepared for
Charisse Childers, Ph.D.
at Metro
Jobs with
Chip McAfee Interviews Career-Tech
Dustin Barnes Center
Susan King
Caty Sample Upcoming Events
Ellice Scales
[email protected] Feb. 15, 2018 Feb. 19, 2018

Arkansas Department of
Career Education ARS Through the Looking Presidents' Day
Glass Luncheon All state offices will be
Three Capitol Mall Henderson State University closed.
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 1100 Henderson St.
501-682-1500 Arkadelphia, AR 71999
501-682-1509 fax
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
ARCareerEd.org
Feb. 23, 2018 Feb. 28-

Arkansas Rehabilitation March 1, 2018
Association (ARA) DECA State Career
Meeting Development Conference
ARS Central Office Marriott Hotel
Adult Education 525 W. Capitol Ave. 3 Statehouse Plaza
Arkansas Rehabilitation Services Little Rock, AR 72201
Career & Technical Education Little Rock, AR 72201
Office of Skills Development 10:30 a.m.

Career and Technical Education is Life Changing!


s a freshman at Maumelle High and business allowed me to learn
School, I had no idea what I more about “the real world” and what
Awanted to do with my life after it required of me to succeed in it.
high school. My CTE classes helped As I entered into senior year, after
to lead me down a successful career participating in DECA as Arkansas
path. My business teacher, Mrs. State President, I knew I wanted to
Michelle Camp, taught me everything I go to college to pursue a bachelor’s
knew before I went to college. degree in marketing. During my time
I was a student who was always as State President, I got to compete Rebecca Aguilera,
in class and on top of my grades. in the Public Relations Competition at Berkeley College
History and science classes weren’t the state and national level, providing DECA President
my favorite, but I truly fell in love me with a better glimpse into my future Special to JobReady
with my marketing classes. My CTE career. School. Four years of CTE classes in
classes taught me everything from the Now, I am a senior at Berkeley my high school helped shape me into
basics of marketing to the advances College, a private business school the woman I am today. I am privileged
of the business world. What I enjoyed in New York, majoring in Marketing to be interning at one of New York’s
most was going to an engaging class Communications. During my first top 50 PR firms, Nicholas & Lence
and learning what a business does year of college, I sat in my principle Communications and this upcoming
to advertise to their target market, classes and knew the basics over May, I will be graduating as a first
how a company builds their brand my fellow classmates because of generation college student. I am proud
image, and so much more. Marketing the CTE program at Maumelle High to be student from Arkansas Career
and Technical Education.

Program Spotlight: Career and Technical Student Organizations


areer and Technical Education opportunity to further develop the skills Consumer Sciences. It is the
(CTE) helps students acquire necessary to be successful in his or only national CTSO with the
Cskills needed to begin the path her chosen career path through CTSO family as its central focus.
to their occupational goals through activities, programs, and competitive • FFA (formerly known as
occupational program areas. These events. Students also have the Future Farmers of America):
occupational program areas are opportunity to hold leadership positions This organization prepares
Agriculture Science and Technology; at the local, state, and national level students for a career in
Business and Marketing Technology; and attend development conferences Agricultural Science.
Family and Consumer Sciences; to network with other students and • DECA: This organization
Science, Technology, Engineering, business/industry partners. prepares students to be
Mathematics (STEM); and Trade The CTSOs offered in schools leaders and entrepreneurs in
and Industry. Upon completion of the across Arkansas are: marketing, finance, hospitality,
program area courses, students will • Future Business Leaders and management.
possess marketable job skills as well of America (FBLA): This • HOSA (Future Health
as college and career readiness skills organization is the largest Professionals): This
needed to be successful in their chosen career student business organization prepares students
career path. organization in the world. for a career in the healthcare
Each occupational program FBLA helps students industry.
area has an accompanying Career develop aggressive business • SkillsUSA: This organization
and Technical Student Organization leadership skills, gain more prepares students for careers
(CTSO). According to the National interest in and understanding in trade, technical and skilled
Coordinating Council for Career and of American business service occupations.
Technical Student Organizations enterprise, and practice • Technology Student
(NCC-CTSO), CTSOs "enhance efficient money management. Association (TSA): This
student learning through contextual • Family, Career and organization is for students
instruction, leadership, and personal Community Leaders of interested in a career
development, applied learning and America (FCCLA): This in science technology,
real-world application." Students who organization prepares students engineering and mathematics
are members of a CTSO have the for a career in Family and (STEM).


3

Adult Education Salutes Employers for Hiring Alumni



rkansas Adult Education, following: Accent Plumbing,
a division of the Arkansas American Tubing, Inc., Bright
ADepartment of Career Technology, Brookridge Cove
Education, recognized businesses Rehabilitation & Care Center,
and organizations who have hired Conway Corp., Galley Support
adult education graduates or have Innovations, Green Bay
relied on the division’s workplace Packaging-Arkansas Kraft Division,
education program to educate its Harrison Police Department,
existing workforce. Keytronic EMS, McCormick Works,
The event took place in the Pepper Source, Rockin’ Baker
Capitol Rotunda. Governor Asa Academy, Schulze & Burch Biscuit
Hutchinson joined division leaders Company, Simmons Prepared Gina Radke (holding award), CEO of
in celebrating the business leaders Foods, Superior Industries, TEC Galley Support Innovations, accepts
award from (l-r) Governor Asa Hutchinson,
who attended the ceremony. Staffing, Tyson Foods-Springdale, Charisse Childers, Ph.D., Director of the
The companies that received Tyson Foods-Waldron, and Van Arkansas Department of Career Education;
the Champions for Arkansas’s Buren County Library. and Trenia Miles, Ed.D., Deputy Director,
Workforce Award include the Arkansas Adult Education.









Former JAG Student Returns to Former School Employed, Grooming Future Employees

ames Caldwell participated and within three years, James
in Project Future Story was promoted to manager of
Jas an interviewer. He the same KFC restaurant where
represented the local Kentucky he worked at as a student!
Fried Chicken restaurant. He James is only 21 years old!
was invited to the event by James’ supervisor is pleased
his former Jobs for Arkansas with his performance and is
Graduates (JAG) Specialist, talking to him about future
Terry Watson. As a JAG student promotions. James credits JAG
at Southside High School, and Coach Watson for giving
James got a job working at the him skills to get a job and keep
local KFC restaurant. He kept it! He put those JAG and on-
this job through graduation the-job training skills to work to
and the months following. He interview fifteen Southside High
then tried a couple of other School seniors on December
jobs to find a fit for his skills 12th.
and personality. However, his JAG salutes James and the
former manager at KFC asked support provided by Watson and James Caldwell (right) and his former
him to come back to work at the the JAG program at Southside JAG Specialist, Terry Watson, at the
"Project Future Story" event.
restaurant. He returned to KFC, High School.



4

Little Rock Benton
















ARS Field Services District V and District
Alan McClain, ARS Commissioner; VI collaborate to learn and grow during
a monthly counselor meeting focusing
Charisse Childers, Ph.D., Director of the
Arkansas Department of Career Education; on presenting Arkansas Rehabilitation
and Leslie Rutledge, Arkansas’s Attorney Services information to different audiences.
Little Rock General, participate in the Second
Annual Circle of Service ceremony at the
Governor's Mansion.
Benton


Little Rock









Arkansas Rehabilitation Services'
Marcie Flowers, Field Counselor in the District Managers hold their monthly
Little Rock Field Office, share pertinent meeting to discuss ways to continue to
information about ARS at the Governor’s ARA board members are making plans achieve the agency mission.
Mansion. for the annual conference, which will
take place May 30 - June 1 at the Hotel
Hot Springs & Spa. This year’s theme is
“Strength Through Inclusion.”


Little Rock Fayetteville
Fort Smith
















Representatives from the Department of Fayetteville CTE students open an in-
ACTI Culinary students demonstrate their Labor and Equal Employment Opportunity school business, applying what they have
catering skills at the State Capitol while Commission visit with Adult Education learned in the classroom and gaining real-
helping with the Adult Education Employer students in the Fort Smith Adult Education life experience. To read more: https://goo.
Appreciation Awards. Center about their rights as employees. gl/6NgCbg


5

February is National Career and Technical Education Month ®






































Arkansas Career and Technical Education students, teachers, and state leaders meet with Governor Asa Hutchinson as he proclaims
February as Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month .
®


Arkansas Career and Technical Education





159,694 of all Arkansas students grades 7–12

are enrolled in CTE courses.




There are 45,108 students who are members of a Career

and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) which
provides skills desired in business and industry.





12,400 secondary students completed CTE programs of
study representing all of the 16 National Career Clusters .
®





6

February is National Career and Technical Education Month ®

C areer and Technical Education

Month celebrates the
®
accomplishments of the
students, teachers, and staff in CTE
programs across the state.
Career and Technical Education
(CTE) prepares the current and
future workforce for high-skill, high-
wage, high-demand careers through
technical knowledge, workplace skills,
and real-world experience in the many
different occupational fields defined by
the National Career Clusters .
®
Caleb Akers of White Hall received his Dana Carpenter, a former student in
Bachelor of Science in Management and the marketing program at Crossett High
Marketing at Arkansas Tech University School, used the skills she learned in the
in May 2013. Akers works as a Wealth marketing classes and the experience she
Management Client Advisor for Arvest gained in DECA to open her own business,
Bank. Akers credits the business classes LaLa's Baby Boutique.
he took at White Hall High School for
introducing him to his love of business.
"The accounting, office management, and
computer courses laid the groundwork for
my first job in business at Arvest Bank,
where I use these principles on a daily
basis," Akers said.














Lindsey Triplett of Bee Branch
Madison Needham was the District graduated from Arkansas Tech University
1 President of Family, Career and in 2017 with a Bachelor of Applied
Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Science in Agricultural Business Public
during the 2014-2015 school year and Relations and is currently employed as a
the District 1 Parliamentarian during the Communications Specialist for Farm Credit
2013-2014 school year. Through FCCLA, Services of Western Arkansas. Triplett was
she was able to speak at STAR Events Austin Gantt of Pottsville graduated the 2017 Margaret Young Award Winner
at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith with honors and college credit from the as outstanding female senior at Arkansas
(UAFS) campus where the Chancellor of Arkansas Tech Career Center (ATCC). Tech University. "I quickly learned that the
the institution offered her a scholarship. With the help of ATCC, Gantt was able average American is at least three
Needham had the opportunity to travel to to graduate Summa Cum Laude from generations removed from the farm and
Japan with UAFS to speak at a leadership Arkansas Tech University-Ozark in it shows when you see how little some
conference at Doshisha Women’s College, one year with an associate degree in people know where their food comes from,"
where she spoke of the importance of Law Enforcement and a National EMT Triplett said. " Thanks to Agricultural
getting involved in organizations within Certification. During his time at ATCC, Education in high school and college,
their school. "I cannot thank FCCLA Gantt served as class president for I have a strong foundation that allows
enough for shaping me into the woman SkillsUSA and taught a weekly course with me to defend our farmers and educate
that I am today," Needham said. SkillsUSA. consumers."


7

ARS Well Represented at Circle of Service Luncheon


rkansas Rehabilitation
Services supported
Athe Arkansas State
Independent Living Council at its
Second Annual Circle of Service
ceremony, which took place at the
Governor’s Mansion.
The Circle of Service Awards
ceremony recognizes individuals
and businesses that have
impacted the lives of individuals
with disabilities in Arkansas. The
honorees were the following:
Willie and Lori Johnson, Alan
and April Plumlee, Tracy Steele,
Douglas and Myra Watson, and
Ivan Whitfield. Justin Gauze
and Derek Mack were honored ARS Staff Members at the luncheon included (l-r) James McCune; Adrienne Robinson,
with the Phil Stinebuck Courage Ed.D.; Chip McAfee, Dale Turrentine, Lisa Kelley, Carl Daughtery, Joseph Baxter, and
Award. Robin Hunt.
Charisse Childers, Ph.D.,
Director of the Arkansas introduced Governor Asa outreach by providing information
Department of Career Education, Hutchinson, who served as the and talking to luncheon attendees
which oversees Arkansas keynote speaker. The Little at the services which are afforded
Rehabilitation Services, Rock Field Office participated in to clients.






State Law Enforcement Support Office Transfers Over 14,000 Items to Local Law Enforcement


rkansas’s Law Enforcement for our law enforcement agencies in law enforcement, and cities and counties
Support Office, a program of the Arkansas,” Governor Asa Hutchinson can better utilize their limited human
AArkansas Department of Career said. “Our Law Enforcement Support and capital resources,” stated Charisse
Education, has transferred over 14,000 Office does a fantastic job coordinating Childers, Ph.D., Director of the state
items to local law enforcement agencies excess property from the Department agency.
throughout the state. These items, worth of Defense and working to ensure our The Defense Logistics Agency’s
over $38 million, include weapons, local law enforcement officers have the review panel conducted the Program
aircraft, and tactical vehicles. equipment they need to make our public Compliance Review on December 4-8,
The Defense Logistics Agency, a safe.” 2017, and visited 30 law-enforcement
combat logistics support arm of the U.S. “The Department of Career agencies throughout the state. The
Department of Defense, has rated the Education, Law Enforcement Support review concluded that all of the items
state’s law enforcement support office as Office (LESO), provides a valuable entrusted to the state law enforcement
compliant after a thorough assessment resource to our state and local law support office and selected for the
of the inventory it has received and enforcement agencies so that our first review are physically accounted for.
released to local law enforcement. responders have the tools they need The federal agency will conduct another
“As a former federal prosecutor, for disaster relief, our officers have the review of Arkansas’ Law Enforcement
I know how important this support is equipment and supplies they need for Support Office in Fiscal-Year 2020.




8

From the Classroom to the Kitchen, ACTI’s Culinary Students Are Really Cooking


ven though it’s winter, Arkansas
Career Training Institute (ACTI)
Estudents have their outdoor
grill smoking hot. It’s the first ‘Friday
Flavors’ of the year, and on this
particular day, Puerto Rican food is on
the menu.
‘Friday Flavors’ is a bi-monthly
fundraiser for the Culinary Arts class
and a celebration of their love of
international food.
“I wanted my students to
experience the international cuisine,
so we began the ‘Field Trip Friday’
program in which we sampled various
foods from all over the world each
Friday,” said Bert Clevenger, the
Culinary Arts instructor. “Over time,
as we acquired more equipment, I
saw the opportunity for the students to
actually prepare international dishes Christopher Mitchell, Samantha Williams, and Katherina Andino proudly present the
for friends and fellow employees of Puerto Rican Tripleta sandwich.
ACTI. As a result, Field Trip Friday
evolved into ‘Friday Flavors,’” he
added.
The students cook and serve the
meals to school staff and members of
the community, as well as learn the
meaning of the phrase "lunch rush" as
a line forms around 11:30 a.m.
“That day we learned what it would
be like during a busy lunch at a real
restaurant. People loved the food, and
we had fun,” said Culinary Arts student Grill masters Alex Ball and Jarred
Brittany Turner. Anderson. Culinary Arts Instructor Bert Clevenger
Clevenger said this type of instructs students on proper technique.
experience is crucial to helping these academics, but we are also applying
students prepare for a job in the food those skills by doing real-world tasks.”
industry. Students like Alex Ball agree. Because the number of
He was able to use the knowledge he restaurants, catering companies, and
gained in the class to help him to land food-related businesses, students
a part-time job at a local Hot Springs interested in culinary careers have
restaurant. many opportunities to find work.
“This class has prepared me “I’m very proud of the way the
immensely for the rigors of working at students have been performing,”
a high level of volume and in a high- Clevinger said. “ACTI Culinary Arts
level position in a fine restaurant,” Ball is developing into a fantastic program
said. “The things I have learned in this where the students are learning skills
class help me to learn job tasks easier and earning certifications that are sure
because we have discussed them and to help them be one step ahead of
practiced them in class. other applicants in the job market.” Samantha Williams serves members of
Not only are we learning the the community who dropped by for lunch.



9

Students Attend Interactive Workshop on Job Readiness at Metro Career-Tech Center

tudents in the three
high schools in Pulaski
SCounty and who attend
Metropolitan Career-Technical
Center for classes participated in
an interactive workshop to prepare
them for internship and externship
opportunities. The students had
a one-on-one session with some
professionals and business leaders
(ARCareerEd Public Information
Coordinator Dustin Barnes
was among the professionals.)
who asked them a series of A high school student meets one-on-one
with a business leader to learn about his
interview-style questions. After strengths and weaknesses.
the interviews, the professionals
shared with the students their elevator speeches. In addition,
strengths and weaknesses and students learned strategies for
offered recommendations to establishing positive relationships High school students have a mock
incorporate for “real” interviews. and how to deal with difficult interview with professionals to help them
Students also took part in personalities and situations in the improve their interview skills.
learning about and developing workplace.







Batesville Students Get Prepared for Jobs with Interviews


very Batesville High School
senior had the opportunity to
Espeak with local business and
education representatives as a way
to prepare them for the professional
world. Fifty local industry and
education leaders interviewed all
ninety-four members of the senior
class during the event called "Project
Future Story." It started several
years ago with only JAG student
participation. Eventually, the program
grew to be a school-wide event as the
administration realized the value of
the concept. JAG training materials
were used to prepare résumés and
cover letters. JAG Specialist Terry
Watson co-hosted the event with the
school counselor and other school Batesville High School seniors are participating in interviews with local professionals
during the "Project Future Story" event.
administrators.


10

Career Education and Workforce
Development Board

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




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

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