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UA – Pulaski Tech Advanced Manufacturing Program awarded $1.7 million grant for modernization

University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College’s Advanced Manufacturing Program has received a generous grant from the Arkansas Department of Commerce Office of Skills Development to enable the college to prepare students to enter the workforce with skills in utilizing emerging technologies in the field of advanced manufacturing.

The Arkansas Department of Commerce Office of Skills Development and the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas, acting on behalf of UA – Pulaski Tech, entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to fund upgrades to UA – Pulaski Tech’s training facilities at the college’s Main Campus in North Little Rock. The grant is for s $1,784,016 and continues from the present time through Dec. 31, 2024.

A 2022 review of the college’s Advanced Manufacturing Program included recommendations to re-configure CNC and machining; to upgrade the instructional facility, and to work closely with employer partners for implementation of upgrades.

Since that time, the UA - Pulaski Tech has addressed each of these areas with a focus on high quality education and workplace readiness. Specifically, the machining lab and CNC lab have been combined with some final work to be completed to get the remaining CNC machines moved and connected; advisory committee meetings have been hosted each fall and spring with feedback that has contributed to changes in software, equipment, and curriculum; the building has been painted, and new external signage/lettering has been completed.

New facility upgrades have been completed and industry partner tours have been hosted on campus.

“UA-PTC is working to meet employer partners’ continued demand and is poised for growth and modernization. There is an urgent need for equipment and expansion of the advanced manufacturing program. Industry partners are very pleased with the quality of the education and training students are receiving and this grant will assist tremendously to meet these needs,” stated Dr. Angela Kremers, Dean of Technical and Professional Studies. “Due to expanded apprenticeship training and need, the infrastructure to properly train students on equipment that is relevant to industry specific to our region is key.”

“UA-PTC is grateful to the Arkansas Department of Commerce’s Office of Skills Development for their generosity and support of student learning,” said Dr. Ana Hunt, UA-PTC provost. “This generosity will allow the College to fulfill its mission of providing access to high-quality education and build a first-class advanced manufacturing workforce.”

OSD is a state agency authorized to award grants to public and private organizations for the development and implementation of workforce training programs. UA-PTC is a public community college that provides educational programming, workforce training, and civic and cultural enrichment to residents and students in central Arkansas.