Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Technical Learning Center Now A Reality

Going from concept to reality hasn't been easy for the Southwest Arkansas Technical Learning Center.

Brown Hardman, president of the Clark County Industrial Council, said the idea for the center began four or five years ago at Henderson State University.

Trips were scheduled to Oklahoma to visit such a center and see how it was done. However, Hardman said, those going made it as far as Malvern before something came up.

The trip was rescheduled, but grounded by fog. The third time, as the cliche goes, was a charm.

Officials also went to Jonesboro to look at their technical learning center.

Now, such a center is a reality in Clark County, though it doesn't, as yet, have a permanent home. Classes are currently underway helping current and prospective employees get properly trained for available jobs.

Tim Stokes, center administrator, said one of the classes is at HSU, and the center is ready to move to the next level.

Pre-employment data is being gathered by those seeking jobs to see where their strong points are and where they need help.

Those looking for work are sent to the Arkansas Employment Security Division where they are matched for jobs based on their skills.

Stokes said the data shows most of those tested are reading at a 11.8 grade level, while their math skills are at the 10.3 level. These scores are higher than the state average.

Once the ESD gathers the information, it is sent to the various human resource managers.

The work force, Stokes said, has the basic core skills to do the job. They receive pre-employment certificates after completing the center's course, and show these during interviews to let the company know they can do the job.

This doesn't guarantee anyone will get a job, Stokes said of the certificates, but gives those with them a leg up on the competition.

State Rep. Percy Malone said the center is an ongoing process in reality, with a building to be constructed soon to house it.

A check presentation will be held in the near future as funds have been obtained for the construction of a building for the center.

Malone said the CCIC has the money is in hand he was able to help get pushed through for the center in the last legislative session.

The next step is to go through the bid process.

"We know the center will outgrow this space," Malone said, "which will leave a facility to be used again, but the center is a reality and people need to know what it's all about."

When the CCIC first began, he said, it focused on infrastructure for industries, now it's focusing on technology.

"The CCIC's focus is on people, incentives for people and training workers for the jobs of tomorrow and better paying jobs. We're on the cutting edge and moving forward to make the economy better for everyone."

In meeting with the area's industries, he said, the CCIC was told they wanted trained, educated workers. But, there are many people who are unemployed and underemployed in the county who need assistance, and can get it through the center.

The center's board of directors will listen to the needs of industry and try to meet them, instead of creating the criteria itself, Malone said.

As word of the center gets out, he said, more and more people will have the chance to get jobs and there will be a better trained work force. "This is a different day. Jobs will be different; industry will be different and people need to be educated in industrial growth."

In working to recruit industry, Malone said, the county needs to make sure the workers are trained and can be continually educated as jobs change. "Education is an ongoing process."

Hardman told the group the annual CCIC golf tournament will be held on Sept. 27.

He pointed out Arkadelphia is up for ACE recertification. Through the Arkansas Department of Economic Development, he said, ACE certification is based on developing an established industries committee, maintaining close contact with existing industries and a new industries committee to market the area, find sites, have possible industrial sites and develop a tour of the area.

Through the CCIC, he said, most of this has been done already.