糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Partners with ACDS to Create Career Pathway for Computer Science Students
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is partnering with the Arkansas Center for Data Sciences (ACDS) to create an innovative new program that will strengthen educational pathways for computer science and cybersecurity majors at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock while helping to fill the workforce gap for Arkansas employers.
The innovative new program will emphasize a combination of scholarships, internships, apprenticeships, talent management, and workforce development with ACDS industry partners to help provide a career path for 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students to fill the state鈥檚 growing need for information technology workers.
鈥淲e are privileged and excited to present this unique, new opportunity for students, employers, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, ACDS, and the workforce of the State of Arkansas,鈥� said Dr. Albert Baker, chair of the Department of Computer Science at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淎s students receive an internship and/or apprenticeship through our partnership with ACDS, our highly qualified students can graduate with a good amount of experience, all while receiving academic credit and a fair wage for their work.鈥�
The support pathway for students provides professional work experience as well as employment opportunities and benefits for 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students. Meanwhile, the program enhances workforce development in Arkansas by providing employers opportunities to hire well educated job candidates.
鈥淭his is our innovative approach to solve the tech talent gap,鈥� said Lonnie Emard, director of apprenticeship at Arkansas Center for Data Sciences. 鈥淲hether we are finding college students who haven鈥檛 had the chance for an internship or recruiting those who haven鈥檛 had a chance to go to college, we knew we needed to find a way to nurture our efforts to add capacity to our skilled workforce in the state. With this partnership, we can give a lot more students the chance to cut their teeth on meaningful work experience earlier in their college career so they can solidify their career paths.鈥�
The 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Department of Computer Science has several endowed scholarships that they are using to attract talented high school students while providing support for freshmen and sophomores.
Students who apply for an internship and/or apprenticeship with ACDS will undergo a competitive application process including a technical and critical thinking assessment, interviews, and a background check. Once approved, successful applicants will receive talent career training before they are matched with one of ACDS鈥檚 industry partners.
Students who are selected for internships receive valuable work and mentorship experience while interning for one with of ACDS鈥檚 employer partners. The ACDS provides wages for the interns, which are sponsored by federal grants ACDS has received. This is a win-win as employers get early access to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 computer science and cybersecurity students and students get exposure to area employers.
Meanwhile, students selected for apprenticeships will be hired as full-time employees with benefits who receive on-the-job training from an experienced mentor while earning a competitive salary. Most apprenticeships last at least one year, which gives the student time to complete their undergraduate degree while their financial obstacles are minimized. Apprentices have the added bonus that some of their work is eligible for academic credit. If they work for a company that provides tuition reimbursement, the apprentice may be eligible to use these benefits for their remaining credit hours as they complete their college degree.
鈥淪tudents who follow this career pathway program will graduate with lower net expenses and real work experience that will definitely make them stand out on their resumes,鈥� Baker said. 鈥淭hey will enter the workforce with knowledge of all the great employers that are available in Arkansas so that we can retain our homegrown talent.鈥�
Since ACDS began its apprenticeship program, 127 partner companies have provided 700 apprenticeships to Arkansas residents.
糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students from the Department of Computer Science may apply for an internship and/or apprenticeship through the ACDS partnership .