In 2016, UAFS launched an initiative to grow the workforce of the future.  Namely, UAFS strives to produce career-ready graduates who possess key skills in a variety of fields.  The Regional Workforce Grant supports us in targeting career-related studies in computer science, technology and robot automation.

 

What is RWG?

The regional workforce development team is a collaboration of people who have an interest in student achievement, in both academics and eventual careers, the continued growth of our business and industry partners, and the overall stability of the River Valley region.  At UAFS, the RWG program is a cross-campus initiative, which engages academic experts from the College of Applied Science and Technology and the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. 

Two partner groups are engaged with UAFS in this endeavor:  educators and industries.  The following regional K12 school districts have joined us as education partners:  Alma, Booneviille, Charleston, Fort Smith, Fort Smith Future, Greenwood, and Van Buren.  Additionally, twenty school districts who are members of the Guy Fenter Educational Services Cooperative at County Line are a part of the consortium.   Our industry partners are numerous and serve as mentors to the students and professional advisors to our faculty.

 

For more information complete our interest form.

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Who do we serve?

Regional Workforce Grants fund the UAFS Cyber Systems Program and the UAFS Robot Automation Program.  Both are designed to prepare area graduates for careers in a number of industries and settings across the region.  As this is a region-wide activity, we serve the following regional school districts:  Alma, Charleston, Greenwood, Fort Smith, Fort Smith Future, and Van Buren.  Two additional programs have a similar model outside of the grant funding. Additionally, a consortium of smaller high schools is invited to participate when space allows and they have interest from students.  In total, UAFS may engage as many as 26 high schools with this endeavor.

 

What is our goal?

Through our partnership with regional high schools and industry leaders, UAFS provides college-level instruction at regional high schools.  This instruction is consistent with university degree programs both in rigor and learning objectives.   Our courses are provided at the high school location during the traditional school day.  Students who participate earn high school electives while also earning college credit.  The courses are taught by university faculty.  Our industry partners provide mentors to each cohort of student and thus help students connect what they are learning in the classroom to the real work workplace.

 

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