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UA-PTC lands 3M Grants to expand advanced manufacturing training

UA - Pulaski Technical College has received two grants from 3M totaling $181,198.22 to significantly expand its Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics program.

The funding, provided through 3M’s Manufacturing & Academic Partnerships program, aims to prepare students for high-demand careers and address a documented skills gap in the area’s workforce.

The awards include an equipment grant of $171,223.22 and a training grant of $9,975.

The larger equipment grant will finance the purchase of 10 Festo Trainer Sets, e-learning platforms, and laptops. The Festo Trainer Sets are crucial, as they provide hands-on training in automation and mechatronics, replicating real-world industrial equipment. An e-learning platform will also be implemented, allowing 50 concurrent users access to flexible, self-paced simulations and coursework.

The training grant will cover the NC3 "Train-the-Trainer" certification for five instructors from both UA-PTC and its secondary education partner, North Little Rock High School Center of Excellence. This certification will ensure faculty are qualified to deliver the nationally recognized 3M/Festo Intro to Mechatronics credential.

“Addressing workforce challenges demands strong partnerships between industry and higher education,” said UA-PTC Chancellor Summer DeProw. “We are immensely grateful for 3M’s partnership and their confidence in our ability to train workforce-ready talent in central Arkansas.”

UA-PTC is working to build a workforce-ready pathway for students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, by providing them with modern tools and industry certifications. The program design was guided by input from 3M Little Rock, North Little Rock High School, incumbent worker feedback, and employer advisory council members.

Graduates of the expanded program will gain industry-recognized certifications, significantly improving their employability in the fields of advanced manufacturing, mechatronics, and energy systems. The college aims to position itself as a regional hub for workforce development in advanced manufacturing.

“These 3M grants will be a game-changer for the students at UA-PTC, but also for the students at North Little Rock High School,” said UA-PTC Development Officer Marlie Ball Davis. “The Festo trainers and NC3 certification will give our campus the tools to bring real-world problem-solving into the classroom every day. Students won’t just learn concepts — they’ll apply them in ways that mirror the workplace.”

The investments are expected to expand the college's capacity to train students in real-world problem-solving and troubleshooting.

The 3M Little Rock Plant is a production facility for the global innovation company 3M, originally incorporated as Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company. Operating on over 2,500 acres, the plant has been a part of the local community for more than 75 years.

The facility specializes in producing industrial mineral products, primarily roofing granules used in asphalt shingles, such as the 3M Classic and Scotchgard Algae Resistant systems. The plant also produces smog-reducing roofing granules, nepheline syenite, and aggregate rock. The operation uses advanced technologies, including sustainable design and ceramic coating, and operates with a commitment to environmental health and safety.