Arkansas Advanced Energy Launches SkillStream Workforce Pilot with Nine Central Arkansas Organizations
The Arkansas Advanced Energy Foundation (AAEF) announced today partnerships with nine Central Arkansas organizations to participate in SkillStream, an advanced energy career pipeline focused on connecting employers with job-ready talent.
The selected partners include Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Arkansas; Camp Alliance; EmpowerArk; Goodwill Industries of Arkansas; HouseAboutit; Our House; Pulaski County Youth Services;Shorter College, and University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Collectively, the selected organizations represent a wide range of community-based nonprofits, workforce intermediaries, educational institutions, and industry partners, reflecting SkillStream’s emphasis on inclusive, employer-driven solutions across multiple entry points into advanced energy careers. Together, these organizations will help identify and close gaps between employers and individuals seeking careers in advanced energy, with an initial focus on energy efficiency, solar, and HVAC.
“The diversity of organizations selected gives us a powerful opportunity to build inclusive, well-connected cohorts that open real pathways into advanced energy careers across Central Arkansas. After hosting our employer forum and surveying their needs, we’re continuing the SkillStream process by bringing together trusted community partners, educators, and employers, to create a collaborative workforce pilot. This phased approach allows us to listen, learn, and adapt, as we build multiple cohort pathways that work for employers while expanding access to meaningful, family-sustaining careers, which benefits the economic growth of individuals and employers alike.”
With funding secured and partners in place, AAEF is now selecting a core group of employer partnerswithin three cohorts: energy efficiency (such as auditors, commissioning and engineering), HVAC (such as installers, maintenance technicians, and HVAC/building controls technicians), and solar (such as electricians, installers, operations and service technicians). The goal is to provide a streamlined engagement process, so employers can efficiently address their training and hiring needs, while strengthening the state’s talent ecosystem for these high-quality, innovative careers, Employers who are interested can fill out an interest form and request a no-commitment brief introductory call with April Ambrose, Director of Workforce Development, to determine if the program is a good fit. SkillStream is funded in part through a partnership with Metroplan. For more information about SkillStream, visit www.arkansasadvancedenergyfoundation.org.
Partner Highlights
Associated Builders and Contractors of Arkansas is a state chapter of the national construction industry trade association established in 1950. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC helps members offer a robust employee value proposition, develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work.
Camp Alliance, Inc. is a public 501c3 charitable organization founded in 2010 with a singular mission: to serve and uplift Service Members, Veterans, and their families (SMVF). Its core values of compassion, empowerment, education, and collaboration drive everything it does as it strives to enhance the quality of life for those who have sacrificed for our nation.
EmpowerArk equips individuals with barriers to employment with skills and support for sustainable careers.
Goodwill Industries of Arkansas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to changing the lives of Arkansans through education, training and employment. Last fiscal year, Goodwill Arkansas served 8,417 individuals and helped 870 individuals find jobs. Since opening The Excel Center® in 2017, 351 adults have earned state-certified high school diplomas, and in the past year The Academy at Goodwill awarded 1,151 certifications and credentials. Goodwill also provides reentry services to help justice-involved individuals build skills and secure employment. “Goodwill Arkansas is thrilled to be selected for the Arkansas Advanced Energy Foundation SkillStream project to expand training and support for energy industry employers," said Edie Stewart, Senior Vice President & Chief Mission Officer of Goodwill Industries of Arkansas.
HouseAboutit Community and Economic Development Agency is a community-based 501(c)(3) non-profit agency with a history of improving the quality of life for low-income, under resourced and underserved communities.
Our House is dedicated to empowering homeless and near homeless individuals and families by helping them overcome barriers through hard work, housing, workforce training, and supportive services.
Pulaski County Youth Services works to empower and support youth across the county through innovative programs that promote academic achievement, leadership development, and life skills growth. For more than 30 years, it has partnered with schools and community organizations to provide safe, enriching afterschool and summer programs that help young people reach their fullest potential.
Shorter College is a private, faith-based, two-year liberal arts college located in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Founded in 1886 by the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Shorter College is 1 of only 107 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in the US, with a mission of serving with underserved by offering a variety of degree and certificate programs. Our newest offering is a HVAC Building Controls workforce training program.
The newly formed University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) Workforce Development Center is excited to partner with the Arkansas Advanced Energy Foundation’s SkillStream Program to provide targeted training and support for energy industry partners, particularly through our established and successful engineering and construction management programs. We look forward to collaborating with energy businesses across central Arkansas to meet workforce and upskilling needs.