2,000 Students Take Part in State Skillsusa Championships As
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A publication of Arkansas Department of Workforce Education 501-682-1500 * http://dwe.arkansas.gov board includes some of America’s program of its own this year that is most infl uential corporate, politi- the fi rst in the United States to cater cal and educational fi gures, and primarily to adults with disabilities. each was treated to some of Ar- Department of Workforce Education kansas’s most exceptional sites. Director William L. “Bill” Walker, Jr. Along with a visit to the Gover- said these programs are why Board nor’s Mansion, the two-day meet- members were so impressed with ing included a tour of one JAG Arkansas’s efforts and successes. facility that makes Arkansas’s “This is the fi rst time ever that programs so strong and unique the national JAG Board has met – the Arkansas Schools for the in Arkansas,” said Walker. “That Maine Governor and JAG Chairman Blind and the Deaf. The schools gave us a chance to refl ect on what John Baldacci confers with Arkansas Governor and JAG Board member Mike are the only ones in the country we’ve done in the state, but it also Beebe during the conference banquet that serve blind and deaf students let us highlight the success of the with JAG programs. JAG program in Arkansas. Ours is rkansas’s Jobs for Ameri- Along with the program at the one of the leading programs in the ca’s Graduates (JAG) pro- Arkansas Schools for the Blind and nation. We were able to promote A gram is winning praise from Deaf, Arkansas also has another JAG to state leaders and executives educational, business and civic one-of-a-kind JAG project. The De- from national corporations, and also leaders from across the nation. partment of Workforce Education’s strengthen our relationships within JAG National Board members Arkansas Rehabilitation Services the business community and the were in Little Rock for their an- (ARS) Division’s Arkansas Career agency.” nual meeting April 14-15. The JAG Training Institute has started a pilot JAG continued on page 15 22,000,000 StudentsStudents TTakeake PartPart inin SStatetate SSkillsUSAkillsUSA CChampionshipshampionships aass GGovernorovernor LLooksooks OOnn he Arkansas SkillsUSA Championships was once T again fi lled with hard work, fi erce competition and fun, but this to advisors, visited with students year’s event was made extra spe- and toured the conference compe- cial thanks to a visit from the state’s tition fl oor at the heart of the event, top offi cial. highlighting three days of activity. Gov. Mike Beebe became the “We were honored to have fi rst acting Arkansas governor to Governor Beebe attend SkillsUSA,” attend SkillsUSA since Bill Clinton’s said Rod Duckworth, Arkansas De- fi rst term in offi ce. Beebe gave a Governor Beebe speaks to SkillsUSA partment of Workforce Education advisors and teachers at the April 15 passionate and inspiring message luncheon. SKILLS continued on page 8 page 2 Director’s Update William L. “Bill” Walker, Jr. Director Arkansas Department of Workforce Education A public information pamphlet of the Arkansas Department of ow! There hasn’t been Beebe has long said that he consid- Workforce Education and the much opportunity to rest ers workforce education and career Arkansas Rehabilitation Services W since the end of the legis- training to be just as important to the Division. lative session. The past month has people of Arkansas and to the state’s been an extraordinary time for the future economic development as pre- Arkansas Department of Department of Workforce Education. K-12 education and postsecondary Workforce Education Considering all of the hard work that education. And again, the governor everyone within our agency has put backed his ideas with his actions by Director toward federal stimulus funding, the attending one of Arkansas’s largest William L. “Bill” Walker, Jr. Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) CTSO conferences and expressing National Board meeting, the numer- his support in word and deed. Deputy Director for ous state conferences for our career The Department of Workforce and technical student organizations Education is pleased to be the lead Communications (CTSOs) and the myriad other obli- agency on Governor Beebe’s Arkan- Reginald L. Jackson gations we have, it’s a great time to sas Works initiative. Arkansas Works be a part of the Department of Work- Arkansas’s expanded College and Contributing Staff force Education. Career Planning System will prepare Adrienne Arnold It was an unparalleled honor students early for the next level of Ricky Harvey to host the annual JAG National education and/or training for a suc- Bart Haynie Board meeting in April. With Gover- cessful career through two compo- Sandra Hubbard nor Beebe and the other prominent nents: (1) an Internet-based college public and private offi cials on the and career planning tool and (2) pro- Arkansas Department of JAG Board, we were able to highlight fessional career development coach- Workforce Education our agency and Arkansas’s JAG pro- ing from a college and career coach Three Capitol Mall gram, which has become one of the who holds certifi cation as a career Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-1083 most successful in the nation. The development facilitator (CDF). The 501-682-1500 success of Arkansas’s JAG program initiative is aimed at meeting the 501-682-1509 fax wouldn’t be possible without the tire- challenge of training and educating http://dwe.arkansas.gov less work of JAG Program Manager an adaptable workforce able to com- Marylene Tate and the rest of the pete for high tech jobs. Arkansas Rehabilitation JAG staff along with the JAG spe- According to Gov. Beebe, Ar- Services Division cialists who operate the program in kansas risks being relegated to the Central Offi ce schools across Arkansas. fringes of corporate desirability if an 1616 Brookwood Drive Governor Beebe further demon- intelligent, highly trained workforce Little Rock, AR 72202 strated his commitment to Career that can compete globally for knowl- 501-296-1600 (V/TTY) and Technical Education last month edge-based jobs is not immediately 800-330-0632 (V/TTY) as he became the fi rst sitting gov- cultivated. www.arsinfo.org ernor since Bill Clinton to visit the Those involved with the four-year Arkansas SkillsUSA State Champi- project estimate it could generate onships. To say his presence at the $8.9 million in additional income for event and his address during the the state. This is an extremely excit- advisors’ luncheon was a real treat ing plan that will help more economi- would be an understatement. Gov. DIRECTOR continued on page 27 page 3 CCareerareer andand TechnicalTechnical EducatorsEducators DDiscussiscuss LeadershipLeadership iinn HHotot SSpringsprings areer and Technical Education (CTE) pro- Department of Workforce Education fessionals from six states came to Arkansas #3 Capitol Mall C to discuss the state of the fi eld and ways to Little Rock, AR 72201 lead it into the future. (501) 682-1500 The Association of Career and Technical http://dwe.arkansas.gov Education’s Region IV 2009 Professional Devel- opment Conference was held April 16-18 at the Arkansas Rehabilitation Essex Place, Suite 207 Hot Springs Convention Center, with more than 140 Services Division 1115 Waldron Road Central Offi ce: Fort Smith, AR 72903 members discussing the main theme of the confer- 1616 Brookwood Drive (479) 452-7131 ence: Highly Effective Association Leadership. P.O.Box 3781 The Association of Career and Technical Edu- Little Rock, AR 72203 715 West Sherman, Suite E cation (ACTE) is the largest national education or- (501) 296-1600 Harrison, AR 72601 Toll Free: 800-330-0632 (870) 741-7153 ganization dedicated to the advancement of educa- www.arsinfo.org tion that prepares youth and adults for successful 507 Cherry Street careers. The ACTE’s Region IV is made up of Ar- 26 Corporate Hill Drive Helena, AR 72342 kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, New Little Rock, AR 72205 (870) 338-2753 Mexico and Texas. (501) 686-2800 105 Reserve Arkansas Department of Workforce Education Arkansas Career Training Institute Building 54 (DWE) Offi ce of Skilled and Technical Sciences (formerly Hot Springs Hot Springs, AR 71901 Transportation Education Supervisor and state Rehabilitation Center) (501) 623-4479 ACTE President Ray Winiecki said the main focus 105 Reserve Hot Springs, AR 71901 2920 McClellan Drive of the conference was to promote leadership in Ca- (501) 624-4411 Jonesboro, AR 72401 reer and Technical Education. (870) 972-0025 “As ACTE members, we must constantly hone Arkansas Rehabilitation Services our leadership skills and be about the business of Division Field Offi ces 102 Park Street locating future leaders for CTE,” Winiecki said. “We 501 West Arch Lonoke, AR 72086 Searcy, AR 72143 (501) 676-4490 live in exciting times. With the changes taking place (501) 268-6650 in our economy, education, and especially in Wash- 989 Highway 425 North ington [D.C.], I believe that CTE is poised to be a 1670 White Drive P.O.Box 450 major player in moving our country forward.” Batesville, AR 72501 Monticello, AR 71655 According to Arkansas ACTE Executive Direc- (870) 793-4153 (870) 367-9669 tor Debbie Anselmi, the speakers, workshops and The Professional Center, Suite 1 1401 Main Street breakout sessions at the conference were critical 1226 Ferguson Drive North Little Rock, AR 72114 ACTE continued on page 22 Benton, AR 72015 (501) 833-1490 (501) 317-1390 2703 West 28th Street P.O.Box 660 P.O.Box 2560 Booneville, AR 72927 Pine Bluff, AR 71613 (479) 675-3835 (870) 534-2404 Museum Plaza, Suite 3 1010 North Arkansas 1150 North Museum Road Russellville, AR 72801 Conway, AR 72032 (479) 890-5751 (501) 730-9725 2807 East Broad 708 West Faulkner Texarkana, AR 71854 El Dorado, AR 71730 (870) 773-2807 (870) 862-5451 210 Shoppingway Taking a break during the conference are (l-r) Ray Henson, DWE One Corporate Square, Ste.150 Boulevard, Ste.