Arkansas leaders in education and industry gathered for the second annual Catalyst NEA event hosted by Arkansas State University at the Red Wolf Convention Center. At the event, different panels discussed topics relevant to both the university and its partners in strengthening the state’s workforce through education.

Throughout the day, panels discussed a variety of topics, including the integration of AI, the future of Arkansas and rural health.

The session titled “Bridging Learning and Earning: Strengthening the Workforce Continuum” provided students and employers with information about how workforce development extends into education, beginning in early childhood.

Edie Stewart, CEO of Forward Arkansas, a statewide nonprofit organization focused on improving student outcomes and career readiness in K-12 education, shared ways industry partners can improve access to opportunities.

“Build relationships with the elementary school down the road, otherwise how will they know you exist,” Stewart said. “Include the parents, they need to know what they’re getting into, to give the students their next steps.”

Stewart discussed ways to strengthen the workforce and identified the biggest barriers to accessing the education needed for employment.

“The number one barrier is just access, there may be an internship that’s 40 miles away so we have to be creative and think of a way of getting there,” Stewart said.

Stewart explained that Forward Arkansas works to widen access to education. Access to education also depends heavily on educators, a topic that panelist Robin Myers, representing CREST at Arkansas State University, discussed further.

“The number one influence on students’ education is the teachers in the classroom,” Myers said.

Myers explained that schools need a steady pipeline of teachers entering the classroom to provide students with a quality education.

Teachers are most often hired directly out of college, making it an important step in creating quality educators. Annette Hux, dean of the College of Education and Behavioral Science at A-State, discussed the options available to students interested in entering the teaching profession.

“We have several different pathways to get teachers into the classroom,” Hux said.

Students interested in teaching can participate in a one-year residency program partnered with schools in Jonesboro or an apprenticeship program that incorporates their work into their field experience.

Shifting the conversation from teachers to industry, Randy Zook, president and CEO of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Arkansas, offered advice on employee training for industry leaders.

“You’ve got to have talent in the building that is up to speed on all the new technologies and knows how to handle them,” Zook said. “Every 10 years you better have some better way to improve a person’s capabilities.”

Zook emphasized the importance of keeping even experienced employees up to date on emerging technologies, including those used in data centers.

The panel highlighted how Arkansas State University connects education with the workforce and discussed strategies for preparing students of all ages for future employment.

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