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Career Institute Program Overview

Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Career Institute Program Overview

The UA - Pulaski Technical College Career Institute is a partnership between the Office of Skills Development (OSD), UA-PTC, and area school districts. This program offers Central Arkansas students the opportunity to learn job skills that lead to gainful employment. Additionally, students can also earn concurrent credit (high school and college credit) which counts toward both their high school diploma and “stackable credits” towards a certificate of proficiency, a technical certificate, and/or associate’s degree from UA-PTC. Students earn industry-recognized credentials that employers in high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand professions are looking for when interviewing potential candidates for hire. Finally, eligible students participate at no cost!

PROGRAMS

Medical Professions

  • Health Information Technology - designed to provide foundational knowledge of the duties and responsibilities of managing patient medical records. Students will be introduced to the language of medicine and common pathological conditions of the organ systems and treatment. Students have the opportunity to earn a certificate of proficiency.
  • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) - designed to focus on safe and effective performance in a health-care setting. Emphasis is placed on specific knowledge, skills, and attitudes as well as concepts pertaining to the psychosocial aspects of care giving. Students have the opportunity to earn a certificate of proficiency, CPR, and First Aid certifications.

Technical Professions

  • Advanced Manufacturing - designed to ready students for career in automated manufacturing, covering industrial electronics, controls programming, equipment repair, and robotics.
  • Welding - designed according to American Welding Society guidelines, includes instruction in different welding processes, joint design, and various metallurgical aspects of metal composition. Students have the opportunity to earn a certificate of proficiency and American Welding Society (AWS) D1.1 Structural Code 3g.
  • HVACR- develop the knowledge and skills necessary for employment with heating and air contractors, service companies, or self- employment. Students have the opportunity to earn a certificate of proficiency and EPA 608 Universal = Core + I + II + III.
  • Cybersecurity - designed for students interested in monitoring, securing, and analyzing data networks and cybersecurity operations centers. Students have the opportunity to earn a certificate of proficiency, A+ certification (Information Technology), Security + certification (Cybersecurity), CCNA certification (Networking).

ELIGIBILITY

UA-PTC Career Institute students must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Enrolled in an accredited public secondary school, home school, or private school through partnering public high school.
  • 11th or 12th grade student with a 2.0 GPA or higher.
  • Must have an ACT Reading score of 13 or equivalent Accuplacer Reading score of 226.
  • Students must submit a full battery of scores that includes Reading, Writing/English, and Mathematics even if the course they want to take does not require a set score in one or more areas.