News

$50,000 grant to benefit UA-PTC job training program

The UA-PTC Welding program has been selected and awarded a $50,000 grant from the Office of Skills Development (OSD).

The Equipment Grant Award will fund ten (10) new welding stations for expansion of the welding program to increase access. The demand for the welding program continues to grow and this expansion will help meet the demand. $50,000 is the maximum amount available under the grant.

“We are very excited about this grant and what it will mean for expanded enrollment and opportunities for students to find high-skill, high-wage jobs,” said Dr. Angela Kremers, UA-PTC dean of technical and professional studies.

Nationally, an average of about 49,200 job openings for welders are expected each year over the next decade. Indeed.com currently lists 135 job openings for welders in Arkansas.

“Our Career Institute Welding Program is exploding with applications,” said Arron DeGracia, director of the UA-PTC Career Institute. “We look forward to providing more students with the skills to work in lucrative career fields.”

The Office of Skills Development (OSD), a division of the Arkansas Department of Commerce, strategically invests in all levels of the Arkansas workforce, from students to incumbent workers, by raising education and skill levels, meeting the needs of companies operating in Arkansas, balancing workforce and employer interests, leading to greater economic achievement for workers and companies.

Learn more about these training opportunities at UA – Pulaski Tech here: www.uaptc.edu/welding