FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jeff Weaver, Melony Ritter
(501) 760.6410 office
press@np.edu
July 14, 2016
NPC AWARDED $894K STATE GRANT
Hot Springs, Arkansas – National Park College’s (NPC) Innovative Technologies Center (ITC) was awarded a Regional Workforce Implementation Grant for $894,181 from the Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE) this month.
NPC received a $95,000 planning grant in October and began work to establish the ITC. The grant program was established through Act 1131 of 2015 and required institutions to submit proposals based on labor needs and skills gaps for regional employers. The Governor’s Workforce Cabinet selected grant recipients based on a rigorous application process that included program need, planning, community partnerships, and budgeting.
William Polk, Director of the ITC said, “We are excited to have received nearly $1 million in grant funding to establish an innovation space that will lay the foundation to expand technology education and create an environment of technology collaboration for industry, educators, innovators and the community.”
The ultimate goal of the project is to align workforce development and academic programs with regional economic development strategies to meet the needs of local and regional employers. The ITC will provide training in additive and subtractive manufacturing (3D printing and computer controlled machining), sensors and instrumentation, computer aided design, and automation (programmable controllers and robotics).
The Center’s outreach goals include industry training programs that develop advanced workforce skills needed in local companies. Creation of the ITC will also include a space for flexible, on demand training for local industry and business partners such as short term seminars and workshops.
Tom Butler, president Craft Manufacturing and Tooling (CMT) Inc. said, “Virtually every part we make is impacted by machinery or systems that require maintenance and operation related to the core technologies covered by this NPC program. NPC’s Innovative Technologies Center will allow CMT Inc. to interface with other companies, students, suppliers, and community members in an environment that is currently not available in our region. Interacting with students in this environment will allow companies an opportunity to showcase the exciting and lucrative careers and strengthens relationships between education and industry in our region.”
The Innovative Technologies Center will offer K-12 enrichment programs for school districts in the Garland County area. The programs will leverage related technologies to engage and inspire students in manufacturing oriented STEM fields such as coding, robotics and 3D modeling/printing.
Similar opportunities will be offered to the community through Community Tech Events. Classes in programmable controllers, drone basics, 3D modeling and 3D printing will introduce the public to the technologies and promote exploration and entrepreneurship. In addition, the ITC will host a quarterly lecture series which will engage the general public in discussions about emerging technologies and high-tech initiatives.
Kelli Albrecht, Vice President for Workforce said, “We are grateful that the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet and ADHE had the vision to establish a grant opportunity that promotes economic development and encourages collaboration among K-12 schools, colleges, and companies. This funding provides NPC a unique opportunity to expand innovation awareness and promote our local industries. There are many exciting high-tech careers available right here in Garland County, and we want students to know that they do not have to leave our region to get well-paying jobs.”
The Regional Workforce Implementation Grant is the second of three stages for the project. NPC may submit a request for a Continuation Grant in phase three that would provide funding through August 2020.
