Workforce
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The shape of a local workforce is probably the highest determinant of success in both retaining and attracting employers. We are investing in training for skills in short supply and in building a talent bank to support the needs of our expanding companies and help attract new companies to the Camden area. This is the job of the whole community and there is a role for everyone and a stake for all.

Our lead initiative is the Camden Workforce Partnership established in September 2008 by the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, SAU Tech and the Ouachita Partnership for Economic Development

A formal Partnership Agreement commits our Workforce Partners to the joint promotion of four workforce training programs, including the Governor’s Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) Program, Career Pathways Program, Adult Education G.E.D. Program, and the SAU Tech Pre-Employability Program. Radio and newspaper advertising, direct mail, and a billboard are being used to raise an awareness of local workforce training opportunities.

The Agreement also implements a Ouachita Partnership-funded workforce incentives program administered by SAU Tech. The incentives program provides non-cash training progress and achievement awards for persons who dual enroll in two of the four available training programs. The Partnership’s goals are to: 

  • Increase the flow of candidates into the workforce,
  • Increase the number of credentialed workforce members,
  • Increase the rate of hires-to-interview, and
  • Lower turnover rates for employers.
Our current activity is focused on getting more out of what we have – increasing the rate of participation of our population in our labor pool and adding a qualitative measure to that labor pool through the CRC process and other pre-employability programs offered locally. As we build our CRC certified population, we will be able to better describe the skills of our workforce. The companies in Highland Industrial Park listed above have committed to the Governor’s Career Readiness Certificate (CRC). We are beginning to see a significant flow of candidates enrolling in the certification process.