Workforce Training Solutions
Overview
Accessible. Affordable. Innovative.
Our mission is to provide accessible, affordable, innovative learning opportunities that transform lives and strengthen our regional economy. We are passionate about our mission.
We accomplish our mission by building talent pipelines for the critical jobs in our area. We start by listening to the needs of area employers and meeting individuals where they are in their journey. Our primary goal is to meet the needs of our area employers through the advancement of individual learners.
With the resources of ASUN’s Career Pathways and Adult Education Departments, as well as our relationship with state agencies, we are positioned well to provide quality training at an affordable cost. Individuals can meet their career goals through a wide range of accessible and affordable training options.
Our Business is Training,
Let’s Do This Together.
Customized.
Your business requirements are varied. Your training solution needs to be responsive. Our team will work with you to develop a customized solution to help your employees apply new skills to your business. Customized solutions can be trained at your location or ours on a schedule that meets the needs of your business.
Our programs are flexible, relevant and value-based to help our business and industry partners improve their competitive advantage by providing employees with enhanced skills to meet the needs of the future.
Additional services include training rooms, assistance in workforce grant application and administration and group facilitation. Our staff is ready to help you achieve your objectives.
Apprenticeships Programs: Earn & Learn
Apprenticeship programs train skilled workers with a combination of technical classroom instruction and on-the-job experience. This “Grow your Own” design allows for faster skills attainment which helps to fill the skills gap currently found in Northeast Arkansas.
Apprentices are full-time employees attending class part time. All apprentices are assigned an on-the-job mentor to aid them in applying learned knowledge and skills to their daily tasks.
Apprenticeship Benefits for Employers
Low-cost program, supported with Federal and State Funding.
No cost to start, ASUN facilitates program creation.
Supplements existing employer strategies for hiring skilled employees.
Close employers’ critical skills gap.
“Grow your own” talent to teach the company “way”.
Employer ROI is $1.47 for every $1 invested.
Create pathways for a more diverse workforce.
Increase loyalty and reduce turnover.
Apprenticeship Benefits for Students
Earn while you learn – start receiving a paycheck and benefits at the start of your training program.
No cost education and skills training.
Apprenticeships develop lifelong skills and support lifelong earnings.
Receive a college education and industry credentials.
Complete with no college debt.
Possible Apprenticeship Programs
CNC Machining
CAD/Mechanical Drafter
Diesel Mechanic
Industrial Maintenance Mechanic
IT Generalist
Human Resource Specialist
HVACR
I am an employer; how do I get started?
Contact with your specific needs. We will work with you to develop a program customized to your specific needs. ASUN will then work with the Department of Labor and Office of Skills Development to establish and manage your program.
Resources
- Visit https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ to find our more about registered apprenticeship programs
- Visit https://arkansasosd.com/apprenticeship/ to find out more about apprenticeships in Arkansas.
Courses offered by ASUN Workforce Training Solutions are often non-credit and do not award academic or degree credit. This means they are not eligible for federal financial aid programs (Pell Grants, FSEOG, Federal Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loans, Perkins Loans, PLUS Loans, etc.). However, there are many funding options that may assist you in reaching your training goals.
ARKANSAS CAREER PATHWAYS
Arkansas Career Pathways Initiative is a partnership between community colleges, workforce development agencies, employers and social service providers. The Career Pathways Initiative (CPI) provides low-income individuals with the higher education skills and credentials they need to gain immediate entry into targeted occupations--ultimately leading these individuals to economic self-sufficiency.
The Arkansas Career Pathways Initiative was implemented in 2005 by the Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE), and is administered in collaboration with the Arkansas Division of of Workforce Services (DWS) and Arkansas Community Colleges (ACC). Together with the state Workforce Investment Board (WIB), these agencies plan the Career Pathways Initiative.
Eligibility
Career Pathways Initiative (CPI) serves current and former Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA) recipients, or TANF eligible students, currently or newly enrolled at one of the participating public two-year colleges in Arkansas or in a program administered by participating two-year colleges.
- You must be a parent or legal caretaker of a child under the age of 21. This includes custodial and noncustodial parents.
- Contact your local college CPI office for eligibility and assistance availability.
- Enrollment is dependent on availability of grant funds.
Call (870) 512-7856 or email to set up an orientation. Appointments can be made in Newport, Jonesboro, or Marked Tree.
ARKANSAS WORKFORCE CHALLENGE SCHOLARSHIP
The purpose of the scholarship is for workforce training in high-demand areas of healthcare, information technology, and industry. Classes are not limited to credit-bearing programs. Non-credit, workforce-training classes that fit into these three categories may also qualify.
Important Note: The following information is intended as a general overview of the program for those applying, or who are considering applying, for the scholarship and is not intended to be a comprehensive compilation of program requirements. For complete information, please refer to the program’s rules and regulations.
Eligibility
- Be an Arkansas resident.
- Must be a high school graduate or received high school equivalency.
- Student cannot be a current recipient of the Academic Challenge Scholarship.
Deadline for Application
Students must apply at least 30 days prior to enrollment in an eligible program.
Award Amount
Up to $800 per program
Who May Apply:
Every person who has graduated from an Arkansas high school, Arkansas home school or GED program, or anyone who has a high school diploma or GED earned from another state and has lived in Arkansas for the last year. Students must enroll in a high demand area of study in the programs of Information Technology, Healthcare, and Industry. Programs are not restricted for credit bearing classes. Non-credit, workforce-training classes that fit into the three above categories may also qualify.
List of eligible programs for academic 2023-2024 year
Students who successfully complete their program of study will be allowed to reapply for the award in another eligible program.
Students who receive funding from Workforce Challenge and do not successfully complete their program will be allowed to reapply one time.
YOUR EMPLOYER
Many employers provide professional development funding or reimbursement to their employees. Check with your employer to see if these opportunities are available and how to request them. It is also important to be prepared to explain how your training will benefit the organization.
FINANCING AND PAYMENT PLANS
Courses offered in partnership with Ed2Go may offer payment plans. To determine if the program you are interested in offers this option, please see the course website.
ARKANSAS SINGLE PARENT SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund helps eligible single parents in Arkansas (except those located in Benton, Carroll, Madison, and Washington Counties, which are served by the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas) to pursue training and education, and, in turn, create a better future for their families.
ASUN Workforce Training Solutions Makes It Easy for Employers.
A grant is a way the government funds your ideas and projects to provide public service and stimulate the economy. ASUN can assist employers with the grant process.
Training & Workforce Development Grants
The State of Arkansas funds your training and workforce development projects through the Office of Skills Development (OSD).
OSD makes strategic investments in the state’s workforce through OSD Training Grants. These grants support local businesses and the Arkansas workforce by providing funding and support for professional employee development, reduce gaps in worker skills, and provide customized technical training.
These grants support the Arkansas work-force by assisting businesses to provide cutting-edge, customized employee training.
Workforce Development Grant Categories
Contact ASUN Workforce Training Solutions to discuss grant opportunities.
• (870) 933-9788
Non-Credit Course Proposal
Thank you for your interest in working with ASUN Workforce Training Solutions. We are constantly working to develop new and relevant courses for our Workforce and Community Continuing Education programs.
Our goal is to expand learning opportunities for the community and course proposals are accepted on an ongoing basis. If you would like to teach non-credit courses for ASUN, please complete this form. If you have a specific course subject you would like to teach, please complete a course proposal form for each topic. Please be prepared to provide supporting documentation such as resume, course outline and curriculum.
You will be contacted to coordinate the details of the course and gather any additional information required for the approval process. Thank you for your interest in teaching for ASUN Workforce Training Solutions.