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University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College announces state-of-the-art workforce training center at Port of Little Rock

The University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College (UA-PTC), through funding secured by United States Senator John Boozman and in partnership with the Little Rock Regional Chamber and Little Rock Port Authority, today announced plans to build a state-of-the-art workforce training center at the Port of Little Rock. This transformational center will be designed to expand skilled talent pipelines and support the growing manufacturing and logistics industries in Central Arkansas.

Funding for the training center comes from $20 million in congressionally-directed spending included in 2026 appropriations bills approved Feb. 2.

“This investment will equip the University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College with the resources needed to train the next generation of Arkansans to step into skilled careers and support the success of existing companies at the Port of Little Rock,” said Boozman. “I was proud to champion funding for a modern workforce training venue to help workers gain in-demand skills, ensure Arkansans have access to good-paying jobs, and support growth and expansion opportunities that will greatly benefit our economy.”

UA-PTC will construct the state-of-the-art workforce training venue adjacent to the Little Rock Port Authority offices. The facility is designed to be expandable. The center will support workforce training programs that elevate income opportunities for Arkansans by offering training for life-sustaining careers provided by current and future employers at the Port of Little Rock and across central Arkansas.

"Arkansas’ economy is growing fast, and the University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College will help ensure that we have the workforce to keep up with the growth,” said Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders. “In the Natural State, our people are our greatest asset, and that’s why investing in Arkansas’ workforce has been a priority of my administration from the start. I am incredibly grateful to Senator Boozman for sharing that commitment and actively fighting to create opportunities for Arkansans in Washington D.C."

The flexible, reconfigurable facility will include modern training space, equipment for workforce instruction, high-voltage lineman training areas, parking, and a connecting plaza. The Little Rock Port Authority is providing the land for the project, underscoring its commitment to long-term workforce development and economic growth in Central Arkansas.

Meeting an Urgent Workforce Need

Arkansas and Pulaski County unemployment rates remain low, around 4%, intensifying competition for skilled workers as manufacturing, industrial, and logistics jobs at the Port of Little Rock continue to grow. Many individuals currently outside the workforce lack the skills and credentials needed to fill these positions, creating an urgent demand for accessible, industry-aligned training opportunities.

“For decades, UA – Pulaski Tech has served the dual purpose of lifting Arkansans up by providing training and education relevant to the local workforce, while strengthening the industries and businesses that are the foundation of economic vitality in the state,” said UA-PTC Chancellor Summer DeProw. “This facility represents a quantum leap in our ability to deliver this service. We are profoundly grateful to Senator Boozman, The Little Rock Regional Chamber, The Port Authority, and all our partners, including Gov. Sanders, for placing their faith and trust in UA – Pulaski Tech.”

Recent announcements by international manufacturers — including Elopak of Norway and Faymonville Group of Luxembourg — along with expansions by existing employers such as Dassault Falcon Jet and Welspun, highlight the Port’s momentum and the critical need for a dedicated workforce training venue to support continued growth.

“This is another significant milestone for Little Rock and the historic jobs growth that we have achieved together. The UA-PTC Workforce Training Center will be a centerpiece of our efforts to recruit and retain skilled workers as we grow our economy and improve quality of life and place in Arkansas’s capital city,” said Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. “The Little Rock Port is already a hub for innovation and opportunity, and this capital investment shows we continue to move forward to maintain a competitive workforce in an ever-changing economy. We appreciate Senator Boozman’s leadership to secure this funding, and we are eager to see the vision of Dr. DeProw and the UA-PTC team implemented in Arkansas’s capital city.”

Addressing Expressed Industry Needs

Through interviews conducted by the Little Rock Regional Chamber with area manufacturers representing nearly 7,000 employees, employers identified clear priorities for workforce training:

1. Customized training with equipment aligned to company processes
2. High-level, OEM (original equipment manufacturer)-specific instruction
3. Close proximity to Port operations
4. Flexible training hours
5. Dedicated space for professional development and career fairs

The center is designed specifically to meet these needs, offering adaptable space capable of supporting abbreviated process lines, advanced manufacturing training, robotics and automation instruction, and large-scale career fairs — capacity that does not currently exist within available facilities serving the Port.

“This investment in our workforce of today, and tomorrow, will position metro Little Rock at the forefront of projects needing talented and trained professionals,” said Jay Chesshir, Little Rock Regional Chamber President and CEO. “Thank you to Senator Boozman and our entire Arkansas congressional delegation for their leadership and commitment to providing another training and education asset for our people to thrive.”

Economic Opportunity and Regional Impact

Today, approximately 11,000 workers from 48 Arkansas counties commute to the Port of Little Rock for high-paying jobs that average about $2,000 more per month than other regional employment opportunities. The Port is a major economic engine for Central Arkansas, and workforce readiness is essential to sustaining and expanding its impact. By equipping workers with in-demand skills and credentials, the new center will strengthen workforce participation, support employer growth, and enhance the region’s ability to attract new investment.

“By partnering with UA - Pulaski Tech, the Port Authority helps ensure that our residents have the specialized skills and credentials required to excel in these life-sustaining careers,” said Bryan Day, director of the Little Rock Port Authority. “This center is not just an investment in a building; it is an investment in the people of Arkansas and the long-term competitive strength of our region.”

Responsiveness to statewide needs and priorities is a core strategic pillar for the University of Arkansas System, as outlined in its 2025-2026 strategic plan. As a UA System affiliate, UA-PTC shares responsibility for advancing this priority.

“This is a prime example of the solutions-oriented action that results from the connection between the campuses of the UA System, economic development partners, and business and industry in Arkansas,” said Jay B. Silveria, president of the University of Arkansas System. “When these partners come together, collaborate toward a common goal, and capitalize on the shared vision of what it’s going to take to meet and create workforce opportunities in our business and industry community through additional training opportunities, the return for our economy is undeniable. We have positioned ourselves within the UA System to be responsive and active participants within the many communities we serve across the state, and I am extremely proud of UA-Pulaski Tech’s role and leadership in this major development right here in central Arkansas at one of the most important sites for developing and expanding skilled workforce opportunities. It’s a win across the board for everyone involved and we sincerely thank Senator Boozman for his leadership in helping to secure this lifechanging investment.”

About the Little Rock Regional Chamber

The Little Rock Regional Chamber is the principal business-driven leadership organization responsible for fostering the economic growth and development of the Little Rock region to ensure that business and industry may operate profitably and enhance the earning opportunities and quality of life for every citizen. For more information, visit www.littlerockchamber.com.

About the Port of Little Rock

Established in 1959, the Port of Little Rock drives economic development by providing a world-class transportation hub that connects Arkansas to the global economy. Under the leadership of the Little Rock Port Authority, the Port is a unique intermodal transportation center featuring a 4,000-acre industrial park, two full-service river terminals, its own switching railroad and a slack water harbor on the 448-mile McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. The Port is designated as a U.S. Customs Point of Entry and Foreign Trade Zone 14. For more information visit, www.portoflittlerock.com.