JobReady: March 2018

March

2018


A Publication of the Arkansas Department of Career Education



































































Returning to Pay It Forward:

ACTI Auto Collision Instructors


Prepare the Next Generation

of Professionals

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



On the cover Table of Contents


David Tunnicliff (far left) and Walter
ACTI Auto Collision Instructors 4 Students Receive 5 Department of Career
Holley (far right) return to ACTI to teach JAG Program Around the State
the next generation
Check out what the
Expands and
in auto collision repair.

More information about
to around the state.
Prepare the Next Generation of High Honors Education has been up
Professionals on Page 6-7 . ARCareerEd
8 Member Pens Book 8 Director Appointed

From the Board:
to Committee
ARCareerEd Board
by Governor

March 2018 Hutchinson

A public information publication
of the Arkansas Department of ACTE Celebrates Tyson Foods-
Career Education. 9 CTE Month with Logan County
Director Event at the State Career Center
Charisse Childers, Ph.D. Capitol 10Grand Opening

Communications Department
Chip McAfee,
Director of Communications
Dustin Barnes
Susan King Upcoming Events
Caty Sample
Ellice Scales
[email protected] March 7-8, 2018 March 13, 2018
Arkansas Department of FCCLA State Leadership Career Education and
Career Education Conference Workforce Development
Three Capitol Mall University of Central Board Meeting
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Arkansas 525 W. Capitol Ave.
501-682-1500 201 Donaghey Ave. Little Rock, AR 72201
501-682-1509 fax Conway, AR 72035 1:30 p.m.

ARCareerEd.org
March 13, 2018 March 28, 2018

The Celebration of Deaf Arkansas Kidney Disease
History Month Commission (AKDC)
State Capitol Meeting
Rotunda 525 W. Capitol Ave.
Adult Education 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Little Rock, AR 72201
Arkansas Rehabilitation Services
Career & Technical Education 12:00 p.m.
Office of Skills Development

Commissioner's Update


he work of ARS continues Around the
to be focused on outcomes
Tthat result in competitive Agency
and integrated employment, which D. Alan McClain
requires implementation of a wide isa Thompson was
variety of innovative strategies that recently promoted to
are focused on needs of business Lthe Senior Management
customers and also the individual agency can facilitate a very practical Team as Personnel
employment goals of our clients with workplace accommodation that can Manager. Thompson has
a wide range of abilities. ensure employers can keep valuable
To address certain barriers to employees in place for a very long been employed with the
employment, often employers find time. Department of Career
themselves needing to address We encourage any of our Education since June 2013
specific accessibility issues. These stakeholders and customers to as Assistant Personnel
accommodations are needed contact any of our ARS field offices Manager. She attained
to allow the employer to hire or to begin this process. her Bachelor’s Degree in
retain valuable talent. Because Arkansas Rehabilitation Business Administration from
employers may not be aware of Services Commissioner Alan the University of Arkansas at
resources to assist with providing McClain was recently a Guest Little Rock and her Associate
accommodations, ARS can help in Panelist on a nationwide webinar of Applied Science Degree
this area through a coordinated effort entitled ““Breaking Down Work in Computer Information
of our VR counselors, our Business Barriers for People with Disabilities: Systems from University of
Engagement Team, and the experts Opportunities for Employers”. Arkansas-Pulaski Technical
with our Access & Accommodations You can watch a recording of College. Raised in Yorktown,
staff. By informing employers of that webinar here: https://www. Arkansas, Thompson has
the availability of resources, along disabilitypolicyresearch.org/events/ lived in Little Rock for the past
with aligning this with the needs of csdp-webinar-030118 18 years. When not working,
our job seekers, then very often our she enjoys reading, playing
basketball, racquetball,
traveling, and meeting
Program Spotlight: Apprenticeship new people. Thompson is
a diehard football fan who
ffice of Skills Development Apprenticeship programs can can’t wait for each season to
(OSD), a division of the work for companies of all sizes, not begin. Her passion is helping
OArkansas Department of just large ones. Only one apprentice others through the outreach
Career Education, oversees the may constitute the establishment of an homeless ministry at her
apprenticeship programs for the apprenticeship program. church.
state. There are eighty-nine programs To inquire about establishing
providing education and structured, an apprenticeship program, a
on-the-job training to almost 4,000 representative of the Office of
apprentices, primarily professionals Apprenticeship or the State
requiring certifications and licenses, Apprenticeship Office will explain
such as plumbers and electricians. in detail how the apprenticeship
An apprenticeship is a program works. They can also help
relationship between an employer in developing a training program to fit
and an employee during which the an employer's specific needs and can
worker, or apprentice, learns a trade. act as a liaison to local educational
Training lasts a specified length of institutions that can provide classroom
time depending on the trade. An or related instruction.
apprenticeship covers all aspects of Visit ARCareerEd.org/services/ Lisa A. Thompson,
the trade and includes both on-the-job skills-development/apprenticeship for Personnel Manager
training and related instruction. more information.


3

JAG Program Expands and Students Receive High Honors


overnor Asa Hutchinson
and Jobs for Arkansas
GGraduates (JAG) recently
honored students who took
home high honors from the JAG
National Leadership Academy
and presented checks to two
schools for new JAG start-up
programs.
Heber Springs High School’s
Laura Ortiz Leal took First-Place
in Math Skills, and Parkview
High School’s Kierra Humphrey,
Vanessa Rogers-Wright, and Heber Springs High School student Laura Ortiz Leal is honored for her First-Place
Jakiya Ursery took Third-Place in award in Math Skills at the JAG National Student Leadership Academy.
Project-Based Learning contests
at the national convention, held
in Washington, D.C.
Genoa Central High School
and Star City High School were
both awarded checks from AT&T
to help fund new JAG start-ups
at these schools.
Entergy Arkansas was also
present. The utility company
provided funding for the students
to attend the JAG National
Convention.
JAG provides support to at- Parkview High School students Kierra Humphrey, Vanessa Rogers-Wright, and Jakiya
risk youth to encourage them to Ursery are honored for their Third-Place award in Project Based Learning at the JAG
National Student Leadership Academy.
achieve high school graduation.
Along with academic support,
JAG also provides work-based
learning experiences that will
lead them to further education
and training and rewarding
careers. Arkansas’s JAG
program is the state affiliate of
the national organization Jobs Genoa Central High School and Star City High School receive grants from AT&T to fund
for America’s Graduates. new JAG start-ups at their schools.




Correction: In last month's issue of JobReady, there was a story about the "Project Future Story" event. This
event took place at Southside Charter High School in Batesville, not at Batesville High School.



4

Little Rock Vilonia


















Arkansas Career Coaches learn
strategies in Data Collection System
Training session.
Maumelle
Little Rock












District V of ARS Field Services led a fire
safety class at the Vilonia Fire Station for
Maumelle High School Student shines Vilonia High School students. Students
on Good Morning America. Ashley Turner were instructed on how to properly utilize
is the FCCLA National Vice President of
Programs and represented CTE, FCCLA, a harness.
and Arkansas well on national television!
UA-Pulaski Tech's Automotive
Technology Program partnered with
the Little Rock Fire Department to give Blytheville
students at the Secondary Career Center
Sheridan at UA-Pulaski Tech the opportunity to get
under the hood of the department's fire
truck for hands-on experience.



Little Rock







Deputy Director of ARCareerEd's
Division of Adult Education Trenia Miles,
Ed.D. (left), attended the Blytheville
Chamber of Commerce Luncheon focused
ARCareerEd staff and Sheridan School on the value of Adult Education Programs.
District toured Kohler Plastics. This gave She is pictured with Vice President of
staff and educators the opportunity to see the Blytheville Chamber of Commerce,
how industry partners like Kohler Plastics ARCareerEd Board Vice Chair Gina Sherri Bennett (middle), and Director of
are making education more relevant for Radke participates on panel at the Adult Education at Arkansas Northeastern
students. Arkansas STEM Coalition conference. College, John Kelly (right).


5

Returning to Pay It Forward: ACTI Auto Collision Instructors
Prepare the Next Generation of Professionals


mid the productive ACTI started shortly after he the field, Tunnicliff said he ran
clanging and banging turned twenty years old. A work across a posting for an auto
A heard throughout the accident caused him to lose part collision repair instructor at
garage at the Arkansas Career of his leg. He learned about ACTI. He felt a nudge to go
Training Institute (ACTI), there the Hot Springs facility through back to the place that gave him
are two voices that can still be a vocational rehabilitation so much.
heard over the noise – providing counselor. “The students at the
instruction and direction to a “When I got here, there were time, they referred to us as
group of students. people who didn’t have any legs rehabbers. That’s fine. I’ll take
These students are learning or maybe one arm. I realized that. I’m more of a recycled
from Walter Holley and David really quickly that I didn’t have rehabber. I was out there, done
Tunnicliff, two auto collision any problems,” Holley said. it, and came back. I’m proud
repair gurus who not only know Holley said he left with more of what we do here,” Tunnicliff
the industry but they also know than just the skills he needed for said.
how to excel in the industry with his career. Holley and Tunnicliff said the
a disability. “I learned how to walk really opportunity they have now not
Both Holley and Tunnicliff well. When I got to come to the only shows that they believe in
graduated from ACTI training area, the people were the mission of ACTI, but they
(then called Hot Springs genuine, and the instructors also want to prove to students
Rehabilitation Center) and were solid,” he said. that a disability should not stop
pursued careers in the auto On the other side of the them.
collision industry. garage, Tunnicliff has a similar “You have obstacles daily to
“It’s a homecoming. This story of perseverance. He let you know that you’re really
system has changed a bit and signed up for the Army but was wasting your time, but you stay
faces have changed, but the denied due to his being deaf in focused and keep pushing and
needs remain the same,” Holley his right ear. the longer you’re here, the more
said. “That really hurt my you learn, it will one day come
Holley, who became a feelings,” he recounted. to fruition that you can actually
member of the ACTI faculty After working “a couple of do this type of work on a
in late 2017, went to Garland, dead-end jobs,” he heard about professional level,” Holley said.
Texas, after he graduated from the vocational rehabilitation Students like Hayden Davis
ACTI in 1985. He moved back facility in Hot Springs. He had are listening and looking.
to Arkansas in the early nineties worked in some repair shops, “We have different
and opened a repair shop with so it was fitting for him to study disabilities, but it doesn’t
his wife. the field. change the way we do our work.
“I came to here to teach “I always wanted to get Everyone can learn. Sometimes
these young men and women to the point where I made there’s a bump in the road, but
and start them at an elementary real money. I completed the we learn to get around that,”
stage – reading instructions and program and worked in the Davis said.
listening to [their] instructors,” field for almost twelve years,”
Holley said. Tunnicliff said.
Holley’s journey through And after twelve years in


6

Returning to Pay It Forward: ACTI Auto Collision Instructors
Prepare the Next Generation of Professionals










































David Tunnicliff (far left) and Walter Holley (far right) return to ACTI to teach the next generation in auto collision repair.














David Tunnicliff (left) assists students on
a project in his auto collision class at ACTI.














Students in the auto collision class at
Walter Holley (right) gives instruction to an ACTI student in Holley's auto collision class. ACTI work together on a project.


7

From the Board: ARCareerEd Board Member Pens Book


areer Education don’t ask ourselves whether we
and Workforce are headed in the right direction.
CDevelopment Board We don’t honestly assess our
Member Jeff Standridge, own individual performance. As
Ed.D., has authored a book a result, we don’t achieve what
on innovation. “Innovation we could otherwise.”
isn’t just about doing,” said The Innovator’s Field
Standridge. “It’s about Guide is meant to be a book
THINKING and DOING that entrepreneurs, innovators
in harmony with one and change agents can use
Jeff D. Standrige, Ed.D.
another. Unfortunately, on a regular basis to give them Career Education and Workforce
the pressures to create, a reason to stop, question, Development Board Member
to launch, and to run fast contemplate, explore and then
often get in the way of act. Upon release, the Kindle
deep, true exploration. We Version of the book achieved
don’t explore the world #1 in its category (Business
around us (including our & Money/Management &
own habits and behaviors) Leadership/Total Quality
for possible innovations. Management) and has
We don’t question our remained in that position since
leadership or others. We being released.




ARCareerEd Director Appointed to Committee by Governor Hutchinson


harisse Childers, Ph.D., Hutchinson said in a statement.
Director of the Arkansas “Where possible, I want to
CDepartment of Career cut the red tape and costs of
Education, was recently entering a new occupation. In
appointed to the Red Tape some occupations, testing and
Reduction Working Group by a license are necessary for the
Governor Asa Hutchinson. The safety of consumers. But the cost
purpose of the committee is of a license or certificate for some
to examine occupations and trades may be an unnecessary
trades that require a license financial barrier for someone who Charisse Childers, Ph.D.
and identify the occupations wants to pursue that occupation.”
the state could eliminate from The members of the working
licensing requirements without group are State Senators Womack; Governor’s Appointees
compromising the safety of John Cooper (co-chair), Missy Bill Gossage, the Governor’s
consumers. “I want to do Irvin, Jane English, Trent Deputy Chief of Staff for External
everything reasonable to help all Garner, and Bart Hester; State Affairs; Leon Jones Jr., Director
Arkansans have the opportunity Representatives LeAnne Burch, of Arkansas Department of Labor;
to pursue an occupation or Bruce Cozart (co-chair), Milton consumer representatives Lula
start a business,” Governor Nicks, Jeff Williams, and Richard Dixon and Bob Kucheravy; and
Dr. Childers.



8

ACTE Celebrates CTE Month with Event at the State Capitol

he Arkansas Association of
Career and Technical Educators
Thelped celebrate CTE Month by
hosting an event in the Capitol Rotunda
which showcased Career and Technical
Education students and programs
from around the state. This event
was a continuation of the celebration
February being Career and Technical
Month nationwide. Governor Asa
Hutchinson also proclaimed February
as CTE Month in Arkansas.
"Arkansas ACTE felt it was critical
that Legislators have an opportunity to
see firsthand the outstanding programs
in career and technical education,"
said Starlinda Sanders, President of
Arkansas ACTE. "The showcase will
become an annual event that highlights
programs of excellence with innovation
and community partnerships."
Students and teachers from
various CTE programs from around the Starlinda Sanders, ACTE President; Michelle Camp, ACTE President-Elect; Rae Lyn
state took the opportunity to showcase Newlin, ACTE Executive Director; Ashley Golleher, Legislative Liaison; and Ross White,
what they are learning to demonstrate ACTE Past-President celebrate CTE Month by hosting an event at the State Capitol.
everything from a class made
hoverboard, virtual reality programs,
and medical demonstrations.
"We are proud to help support an
event that allows our CTE students
and teachers to show off the wonderful
skills they are learning in their
classes and also talk to legislators
about how important Career and
Technical Education is to the state
of Arkansas," said Kathi Turner,
ARCareerEd's Deputy Director of
Career and Technical Education. CTE
encompasses many different types of
education, from classroom learning to
certification programs to work-based
learning opportunities outside the
classroom.
"We are very pleased to work
alongside the Governor's Legislative
Task Force on Workforce Excellence
and are proud of his commitment to
improving Arkansas' workforce. These
programs, grounded in the Arkansas
Department of Career Education,
exemplify the high-quality programming Career and Technical Education (CTE) students learn about various CTE programs
Arkansas ACTE supports," said by visiting their booth at the Arkansas Association of Career and Technical Educators
Sanders. (ACTE) CTE Month Celebration at the state capitol.


9

ARS Hosts Luncheon to Help the Community Better Understand Supported Employment

rkansas Rehabilitation
Services(ARS) recently held
Aan event at Henderson State
University to help the Clark County
community better understand
Supported Employment. Supported
Employment means competitive
work in integrated work settings for
individuals with the most significant
disabilities for whom competitive
employment has not traditionally ARS Counselors and Administrative
occurred, and who, because of the Specialists engage participants in
nature and severity of their disability, discussions on their needs in the
need ongoing support services community as they relate to employment.
to perform their job. ARS Field
Services District VI Manager Gaye Brandon Buck speaks about how
Supported Employment has helped him in
Jones-Washington said, "This event his job duties.
was held to facilitate partnerships
with employers and vendors to medication packer and loves his job.
increase Supported Employment The theme of the event was
service provision in Clark County. "Through the Looking Glass: Taking
Participants found the event to be a Peek at Supported Employment."
extremely informative, and I'm excited The theme was based on the sequel
to say several new relationships to Alice in Wonderland, where Alice
were formed." Several ARS staff again enters a world of fantasy, this
members presented information, and time by climbing through a mirror into
Brandon Buck told his story of how his the world that she can see beyond
employers at AllCare Pharmacy have it. When working with individuals with Sydney Washington, Supported
Employment Counselor for District VI of
helped him overcome his limitations disabilities, we have to see beyond ARS Field Services, shares information
to successfully complete his job the disability and see possibilities that about Supported Employment during the
duties. He is currently employed as a were unimaginable. "Through the Looking Glass" Luncheon.







Tyson Foods-Logan County Career Center Grand Opening


he Tyson Foods-Logan County Gov. Asa Hutchinson spoke at the
Career Center recently held ceremony and reminded attendees
Tits Grand Opening ceremony. of the importance of having a skilled
The center, located on the Paris High and job-ready workforce that will
School campus, serves high school move Arkansas ahead. Mike Rogers
students from Scranton, Magazine, with Tyson Foods commented on the
and Paris. Approximately 58 students strength and support that was needed
are currently enrolled, and the center from the community and leadership
expects that number to climb. The in our state to move this vision to
new center offers students the reality. The Tyson Foods-Logan
opportunity to obtain certificates, or County Career Center offers classes in Gov. Asa Hutchinson cuts the ribbon at
an Associate's Degree through the Welding, Health Education, Electronics the grand opening of the Tyson Foods-
Arkansas Tech University system. and Adult Education. Logan County Career Center located on
the Paris High School campus.


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, Director of Communications Joseph Baxter, Deputy Commissioner Michael Garner, Hensley
DeCarlia Smith, Human Resources Carl Daughtery, Chief of Field Services/ Stacy Gunderman, Batesville
Administrator Associate Commissioner Troy Keeping, Marion
Lisa A. Thompson, Personnel Manager Jonathan Bibb, Administrator/Associate Steve Percival, Little Rock
Don Bellcock, Internal Auditor Commissioner, Arkansas Career Training Jenifer Price, Springdale
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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