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Future Fit congratulates five new program grads

The sixth Future Fit graduation ceremony was held at the Pulaski County Regional Detention Center for five incarcerated program participants. The Future Fit program is a state-wide workforce development initiative designed to ensure that graduates have the skills and motivation needed to succeed in high-demand skilled industries.

Future Fit, a statewide public-private workforce development initiative, is a collaboration between the University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College (UA-PTC), the Little Rock Workforce Development Board (LRWDB), the Pulaski County Regional Detention Center (PCRDC), and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s (AEDC) Existing Business Resource Division.

The program held at the detention center is made possible through a $2 million U.S. Department of Labor Pathway Home Grant. The grant provides financial resources to support training and employment services for incarcerated people who are seeking skilled employment in the field of manufacturing. Participants must be ready to start work in Pulaski County within 90 days after release and be scheduled for release within 270 days from the time they enroll in Future Fit.

Program participants underwent a rigorous screening process before beginning the program that included having a high-school diploma or GED and obtaining at least a bronze level Career Readiness Certification. The Future Fit program is facilitated by the UA-PTC Business and Industry Center. The goal of the program is to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills they need to obtain and be successful in well-paying manufacturing and production positions. Graduates of the Future Fit program were awarded a certificate of completion at the ceremony to show potential employers that they are willing to invest in themselves and their communities.