Workforce Training Consortia
Arkansas offers valuable opportunities for workforce training programs. Along with the Existing Workforce Training Program and the Business and Industry Training Program offered through the Economic Development Commission, Arkansas is also home to a network of workforce training consortia.
A training consortium is a community-based, formal organization of businesses and industries that identifies common training needs in the area and arranges classes that are customized to meet their specific requirements. Currently, there are 12 existing consortia operating throughout the state, as well as two consortia in development.
These employer-driven consortia allow each individual community to tailor its training programs around local industry needs. Cooperative efforts between industry and educators result in classes on a variety of topics, such as computer skills, professional development, mechanical skills, welding and electrical skills.
1. Arkansas Area 6 Business and Industry Training Consortium
Kathleen McNamee
P. O. Box 3350
Batesville, AR 72503
(870) 612-2181
kmcnamee@uaccb.edu
2. Columbia County Business & Industry Training Consortium
Bill Shelton
P. O. Box 866
Magnolia, AR 71754
(870) 235-6145
bill_shelton@albemarle.com
3. Conway County Economic Development Corporation
Aaron Spivey
1537 University Blvd.
Morrilton, AR 72110
(501) 977-2029
spivey@uaccm.edu
4. Fort Smith Manufacturing Executives Association
Donnie Green
P. O. Box 6383
Fort Smith, AR 72906
(479) 648-3378
jl@arkansaswarehouse.com
5. Greene County Industrial Training Center
Vicki Kuykendall, Secretary
P. O. Box 1565
Paragould, AR 72451-1565
(870) 239-0969, ext. 106
gcitcvk@paragould.net
6. Little Red Industrial Training Council
Todd Hunter
P. O. Box 909 Searcy, AR 72145
(501) 207-4030
thunter@searcy.asub.edu
7. Mid-South Training Council
Jerry Webb
2000 W. Broadway
West Memphis, AR 72301
(870) 733-6778
jwebb@midsouthcc.edu
8. Russellville Industry Council
Kathy Kearney
708 W. Main
Russellville, AR 72801
(479) 880-9235
ric.kathy@suddenlink.net
9. Southwest Arkansas Technology Learning Center
Sheryl Strother
640 S. 6th Street, Suite A
Arkadelphia, AR 71923
(870) 230-5550
sstrother@ezclick.net
10. Synergy Tech
Chris Gunn, Director
P. O. Box 2000
Springdale, AR 72765-2000
(479) 872-8326
cgunn@synergytech.org
11. White County Industrial Training Council
Todd Hunter
P. O. Box 909
Searcy, AR 72145
(501) 207-4030
thunter@searcy.asub.edu
12. Workforce Training Consortium
Linda Wood Sharp, Secretary/Treasurer
5504 Krueger Drive
Jonesboro, AR 72401
(870) 933-9788
lwsharp@dtimt.org
Consortia in Development
Clarksville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce
Vicki Lyons, Executive Director
101 North Johnson
Clarksville, AR 72830
(479) 754-2340
valyons2002@yahoo.com
North Central Arkansas Regional Economic Development Corporation (NCARED)
Steven G Sanders, Jr.
P. O. Box 209
Flippin, AR 72634
(870) 453-8800
steven@southshore.com
