The pilot course, 鈥淗R Essentials: What You’re Expected to Know,鈥� will run April 1鈥�22 at the Reynolds Business Building. The program prepares entry-level HR professionals, career changers, business owners, and organizational leaders with practical training in compliance, documentation, employee relations, and workplace risk management.

鈥淭his is exactly the kind of program our new Workforce Development Center was created to deliver,鈥� said Nick Stevens, director of Corporate and Community Education. 鈥淲e work closely with industry leaders to identify real workforce gaps and respond with relevant, high-impact training. By piloting programs like this, we鈥檙e building scalable pathways for professional advancement and strengthening Arkansas鈥� workforce.鈥�

The university partnered with Gina Smith, PHR, MA, CEO of Rock Region Consulting, Inc., and a board member of the Central Arkansas Human Resources Association (CAHRA), the local affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), to integrate direct industry insight into the course design.

Rock Region Consulting provides human resource consulting, compliance guidance, and workforce development training to organizations across Arkansas.

鈥淥rganizations need HR professionals who are prepared before they鈥檙e faced with high-stakes decisions,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淭his program blends core knowledge with applied learning so participants leave with practical skills they can immediately use. We鈥檙e proud to partner with 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock to strengthen the HR talent pipeline in our region.鈥�

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock maintains long-standing partnerships with CAHRA and continues building relationships across the professional HR community to ensure programs remain responsive to workforce needs.

As part of Corporate and Community Education鈥檚 expanded professional development strategy, the pilot will inform the launch of additional HR continuing education and certification preparation opportunities for working professionals, alumni, and current students in the School of Business. Registration is now open for the April cohort.

Learn more about the program or register here:
/continuingeducation/professional-development/hr-professional-essentials/

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鈥淲orkforce development is central to how 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock fulfills its responsibility to students, employers, and our communities,鈥� said Ann Bain, provost and executive vice chancellor. 鈥淏y bringing together leaders from across business, education, healthcare, industry, and government, this advisory board strengthens the connection between education and opportunity while supporting the long-term economic vitality of Arkansas.鈥�

The inaugural members of the Workforce Development Center Advisory Board include:

• Kristi Barr, Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Toni Lindsey, Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce
• Sen. Jane English, Arkansas State Senate
• Kenneth Calhoun, former Career Education and Workforce Development Board Chair
• Dr. Jeremy Owoh, Superintendent, Jacksonville/North Pulaski School District
• Dr. Summer Khairi, Nuclear Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences 
• Steve Shepard, Retired Senior Vice President, Greenway Equipment Inc.

The advisory board will help guide program priorities and identify opportunities for collaboration across key workforce sectors.

鈥淐reating this advisory board allows us to bring employer and community voices directly into the conversation as strategic advisors and thought partners on emerging workforce trends and community needs,鈥� said Aaron Duvall, executive director of Workforce Development at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淭heir insight helps us design upskilling training and credentialing opportunities that are relevant, flexible, and aligned with the skills Arkansas employers are seeking both now and in the future.鈥�

糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Workforce Development Center serves as a hub for professional skills training, professional development, industry-recognized credentials, and customized programs for employers. 

Located in the Reynolds Business Building, the Workforce Development Center is home to the offices of Study Abroad, University Career Services, Corporate and Community Education, and Concurrent Enrollment.聽For more information about the Workforce Development Center, visit ualr.edu/workforcedevelopment.

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He will begin his new position as the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock workforce development director on April 16. His office will oversee Workforce Development Initiatives, Career Services, Concurrent Enrollment, Study Abroad, and Extended Education.  

鈥淎aron鈥檚 experience and passion for connecting students with real-world opportunities make him a tremendous asset to our team,鈥� said Dr. Ann Bain, executive vice chancellor and provost. 鈥淗is role will be key to strengthening the university鈥檚 ties with industry, ensuring our students are workforce-ready and our programs are responsive to Arkansas鈥檚 economic and education needs.鈥�

Duvall brings more than 20 years of experience in education, with a strong track record of building impactful partnerships that provide students with pathways to economic advancement and career success.

He most recently served as the inaugural career and technical education (CTE) director at Responsive Education Solutions, a charter school organization with campuses across Arkansas. In that role, he led the development of CTE programs at eight schools and built lasting relationships with business and industry leaders, government agencies, and higher education institutions.

A recognized voice in CTE innovation and education policy, Duvall has shared his insights at major conferences including the Arkansas Charter School Conference, the Southern Regional Education Board Making Schools Work Conference in Florida, and the Association of Career and Technical Education Region IV Conference in New Mexico. He recently completed an Ed.D. in Rural and Diverse Education at Southern Arkansas University.

“I am honored to step into this unique role and excited to expand 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 impact through innovative education and workforce development initiatives, as well as the establishment of a cutting-edge workforce development center,鈥� Duvall said. 鈥淏y forging strong partnerships with industry leaders and community organizations, we will create dynamic workforce programs, lifelong learning and upskilling opportunities, and new career pathways that empower students and strengthen our regional workforce, making 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock a leader in university workforce development.”

Outside of work, Duvall is active in community service initiatives, including youth leadership mentoring and local scholarship efforts. He and his wife have three children, Gabe, Emerson and Everest.

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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 .

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