National Park College (NPC) celebrated the grand opening of its new NPC Metalworks facility ahead of the College’s September Board of Trustees meeting Wednesday, marking a significant expansion of the College’s welding training capabilities.
The state-of-the-art, 16,000-square-foot facility provides a dedicated home for NPC’s credit and non-credit welding programs and expands the College’s capacity to provide high-quality welding and metalworking training to students and members of the workforce throughout the region and across Arkansas.
The project was supported by a $6 million HIRED grant from the Arkansas Department of Commerce, as well as generous donations from the Windgate Foundation, the Oaklawn Foundation, the Regions Foundation, and members of the community.
The new facility is already making an impact. Welding classes began in August, and NPC students are actively using the facility and its equipment as they develop the hands-on skills needed for careers in the skilled trades.
Arkansas State Representative Richard McGrew said the new facility will provide valuable opportunities for students while helping address workforce needs in the region.
“I’m excited to see National Park College expand its welding program with the new Metalworks facility,” McGrew said. “For years, NPC has been equipping students with skills that can lead to rewarding careers, and this new facility will allow them to reach even more people in our community. These opportunities give individuals a chance to learn a valuable trade, find good career opportunities close to home, and help meet the needs of our local workforce. This is an investment in people, in families, and in the future of our community.”
NPC President Dr. Wade Derden emphasized that the facility’s ultimate impact will be measured by the opportunities it creates for students, workers, employers, and families.
“The true measure of success will not be found in the walls of this building, its equipment, or its square footage,” Derden said. “It will be found in the students who earn credentials, the workers who gain new skills, the employers who find qualified employees, and the families whose lives are improved because of the opportunities created here.”
Following the program, Hot Springs Chamber Ambassadors led a ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside NPC students and campus members. Guests then toured the new facility and attended a reception in the lobby.
The NPC Metalworks facility represents a significant investment in welding education and workforce development, providing students with the space, equipment, and hands-on training needed to prepare for careers while helping meet the demand for skilled welders throughout the region and state.
There’s a place for you at NPC. For more information, visit np.edu.