Southwest Arkansas
Workforce & Education

Workforce is the strength that drives Southwest Arkansas

Across the region, reliable labor, low turnover, and workforce pipelines aligned with industry needs make this a place where companies can count on their people.

Affordability, access and opportunities make it a place their people can thrive.

Education and Workforce Partners

With five technical colleges and three universities, Southwest Arkansas is a region built on skill and strengthened by education with a long tradition of putting knowledge to work. Across the region, educators and employers partner to prepare talent for the industries that define our economy - and those shaping its future.

In 2023, there were 5,955 graduates in thirteen Arkansas counties. This pipeline has grown by 7% over the last 5 years.

Building Our Workforce from the Ground Up

Career-technical programs in local high schools link students to hands-on training, apprenticeships, and college credit—creating a direct pipeline of job-ready graduates.

At SAU Tech, students train in aerospace and defense manufacturing, developing precision skills that serve companies within one of Arkansas's leading defense and advanced materials corridors. Further south, UA Cossatot, Southern Arkansas University, and SouthArk form a connected system designed to create opportunities.

These programs along with hands-on training in mechanics, industrial maintenance, and advanced manufacturing are building tomorrow's workforce. Through initiatives like Lithium Learns and Lithium Works, we're developing real-world skills through real innovation.