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UA-PTC celebrates Future Fit graduates

The University of Arkansas - Pulaski Technical College Business and Industry Center honored 20 graduates from the Arkansas Department of Corrections during a Future Fit ceremony for Cohorts 7 and 8 on Sept. 11.

Held in the concourse at UA-PTC Little Rock-South, the ceremony brought together graduates, families, community partners, and state leaders. UA-PTC Chancellor Summer DeProw welcomed attendees and highlighted the partnerships driving the program.

Cortney Kennedy, chief legal counsel for Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, delivered opening remarks. Additional speakers offering support included Lindsay Wallace, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Corrections; Hugh McDonald, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Commerce; Janet Mann, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Human Services; and Anita Brackin of ACT.

Guest speaker Paul Chapman, director of Restore Hope, encouraged graduates to embrace upcoming opportunities.

"Hope is believing that tomorrow can be better than today and that you've got the power to make it so," Chapman said.

Future Fit instructor Eli Adams and several participants shared reflections on their personal growth. During the event, seven participants performed two songs for the audience.

Designed to reduce recidivism and strengthen the state's workforce, Future Fit equips incarcerated individuals with technical skills and workplace readiness. Graduates completed 96 hours of Production Operator and Assembler training, earning a National Career Readiness Certificate, an OSHA 10 certification, and a Future Fit Certificate of Completion.

The program is a collaboration among the Governor’s 10:33 Reentry Program, the Arkansas Departments of Corrections, Commerce, Human Services, and Finance and Administration, Arkansas Workforce Connections, the Office of Skills Development, the Arkansas Financial Education Commission, and Restore Hope.

The final Future Fit graduation of the year, honoring Cohorts 9 and 10, is scheduled for Nov. 20.