UACCM Holds Groundbreaking for New Workforce Training Center
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The
University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton held a ceremonial
groundbreaking event April 29, 2016 for the new Workforce Training Center that
will serve as a hub for technical training and workforce development in central
Arkansas. The ceremony, which began at
10:00 a.m., was held in the Fine Arts Auditorium because rain precluded the
event being outdoors.
The
100 attendees heard remarks from UACCM Chancellor Dr. Larry Davis, University
of Arkansas System President Dr. Donald Bobbitt, UACCM Board of Visitors Chair
Doug Brandon, and a keynote address from Conway County Judge Honorable Jimmy
Hart.
Government
and state agency officials in attendance included Morrilton Mayor Allen
Lipsmeyer, Anushree Jumde from Representative French Hill’s office, Tim Riley
from Senator John Boozman’s office, Trent Minner from Governor Asa Hutchison’s
office, Shane Fletcher from Senator Tom Cotton’s office, and Dr. Brett Powell,
director of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education. Also in attendance were representatives from
the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and West Central Planning and
Development Board.
In his remarks,
Dr. Bobbitt said, “Workforce training in this facility will support a very
critical need which is important for the economic future of the region and
state, as it is not only going to strengthen existing businesses and industry,
but it will encourage new businesses and the growth of existing businesses.”
UACCM began
vocational technical training in 1963.
Now, of the 38 programs offered, 33 are of a vocational or technical
nature. To support these programs, UACCM
has an advisory board of over 150 companies, with over 170 advisory members,
that advise and guide the programs to ensure students graduate with the
knowledge of the newest technology and best practices needed to go directly
into the workforce upon graduation.
Bobbitt also said,
“UACCM has been a leader in the state at aligning their mission with the
workforce needs and the faculty and staff here understand that they need to be
nimble and flexible to react to a rapidly changing world. Technical degree programs and training here
are designed with this goal in mind and will help close the skills gap in this
state.”
MAHG
Architecture is working closely with UACCM faculty, staff, and administration
to design this state-of-the-art facility.
Nabholz Construction will see that this vision becomes a reality as they
construct the new building over the next 18 to 24 months.
The new 53,000 square-feet
Workforce Training Center will house Automotive Service Technology; Heating,
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology; Welding Technology; and
Industrial Mechanics and Maintenance Technology labs, as well as a space for
specialized workforce training and the UACCM Workforce Development office. Construction should be completed in 18 to 24
months and, once complete, the center will have the capacity to more than double
current program enrollment.
“We have been
providing modern, up-to-date technical training in 50-year-old buildings and
that is sometimes a hard thing to do.
Part of the long-term vision of the institution was to create new
facilities to provide the workforce training that the people of Arkansas need
and expect, which is something we feel we can provide,” said Dr. Larry Davis.
Several hundred
thousand dollars in equipment and cash donations have been made, and the Give
Meaning campaign has received over $2.5 million in pledges and donations. For more information about the campaign and
how to contribute, please contact UACCM Development Officer Morgan Zimmerman at
501.977.2085 or at Zimmerman@uaccm.edu.
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