News

20 graduates celebrate completion of ADC’s Future Fit program July 1

The UA-PTC Business and Industry Center celebrated 20 graduates from the Arkansas Department of Corrections during a Future Fit graduation ceremony for Cohorts 5 and 6 on July 1.

The afternoon ceremony, held at the UA-PTC Little Rock South concourse, brought together families, community partners and state officials. Chancellor Summer DeProw welcomed attendees and recognized the collaborative effort required to sustain the program.

Lindsay Wallace, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Corrections, delivered opening remarks. Additional congratulations were shared by Eddie Thomas, director of the Office of Employment and Training at the Arkansas Department of Commerce, and Janet Mann, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Human Services.

Cortney Kennedy, chief legal counsel for Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, served as the guest speaker, offering encouragement to the graduates. Future Fit instructor Eli Adams and several program participants also addressed the audience.

The Future Fit program is designed to reduce recidivism and strengthen the state's workforce by providing incarcerated individuals with technical skills, personal development and workplace readiness. Each graduate completed 96 hours of production operator and assembler training, earning a National Career Readiness Certificate, an OSHA 10 certification card and a Future Fit certificate of completion.

The initiative is a collaborative partnership involving the Governor’s 10:33 Reentry Program, the state departments of Corrections, Commerce, Human Services, and Finance and Administration, as well as Arkansas Workforce Connections, the Office of Skills Development, the Arkansas Financial Education Commission under the state treasurer, and Restore Hope.

Mark your calendar for the next Future Fit graduation ceremony for Cohorts 7 and 8, scheduled for Sept. 11.