All ten counties in the SE Arkansas Economic Development District, including Bradley County, have “turned gold” for achieving ACT Work Ready Communities certification. “For an effort that began as a dream in 2015, we are now the most certified contiguous portion of the State of Arkansas,” says Janie Carter, former Regional Workforce Grant Manager. “SE Arkansas is on the map!”
According to ACT Work Ready Communities’ website, the certification helps with the following:
- Business and industry know exactly what foundational skills they need for a productive workforce – and to easily communicate their needs
- Individuals understand what skills are required by employers – and how to prepare themselves for success
- Policy makers consistently measure the skills gap in a timely manner at the national, state and local levels
- Educators close the skills gap, via tools integrated into career pathways with stackable industry-recognized credentials
- Economic developers use an on-demand reporting tool to market the quality of their workforce