Initiative takes to road for technical jobs

Jessica Capps, left, and Robin English from the Riverview School District practice putting together pipes as part of the plumbing demonstration in the Be Pro Be Proud mobile unit during the Economics Arkansas presentation at Arkansas State University-Beebe
Jessica Capps, left, and Robin English from the Riverview School District practice putting together pipes as part of the plumbing demonstration in the Be Pro Be Proud mobile unit during the Economics Arkansas presentation at Arkansas State University-Beebe

— It’s not hard to see the need for technicians such as plumbers, electricians and welders. Educators can tell their students all about the demand for and benefits of choosing a technical career, but through the Be Pro Be Proud initiative, the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas is hitting the road to showcase skilled trade professions and broaden awareness of how they can impact the state and the upcoming workforce.

On July 11, high school educators from across the state gathered at Arkansas State University-Beebe to learn more about how their students can connect with industries after graduation. After hearing statistics, discussing various initiatives and looking into salaries and skills of these industries, the teachers walked outside to the Workforce Workshop, the mobile unit with simulations and challenges that provide a glimpse into the world of technical industry.

Some of the teachers tried to reassemble water pipes. Others tested for electrical currents with specialized tools. Whether they were performing a welding simulation or playing a game relying on hand-eye coordination and speed, the educators were getting an education in careers their students can pursue.

“The purpose of Be Pro Be Proud is to heighten awareness around skilled trade professions in Arkansas,” said Liz Hamilton, spokeswoman for the initiative.

Hamilton said that through focus groups and research, the chamber of commerce discovered a disconnect between what schools communicate to students and what students think of technical jobs. Between the mobile unit and the website beprobeproud.org, officials hope to educate and excite students about these careers.

“For so long, it’s been drilled into kids’ heads that they need to go to college and earn a four-year degree to be successful, and that’s just not the case,” Hamilton said. “[Be Pro Be Proud] has a multipronged target. Students are the main target, but educators are also a target so they can communicate to their students.”

According to the chamber of commerce, there are an estimated 5.6 million job openings nationwide, 60,000 of which are in Arkansas. Nearly half are in high-skilled technical fields, and employers in many fields — such as construction and trucking — are struggling to find qualified technical professionals.

Hamilton said Be Pro Be Proud has been three years in the making, and the chamber launched the initiative March 8.

The past four months have been encouraging, Hamilton said, and there is currently a waiting list to take the Be Pro Be Proud mobile unit to campuses and other locations across the state.

“That shows us that people are interested, and we love that,” she said. “We make sure to follow through on every one of the requests [for the mobile unit].”

The Be Pro Be Proud website has information on various careers, including commercial truck driver, plumber, electrician, carpenter, diesel technician, tool and die maker, machinist, computer programmer and welder. There is also information on schools that provide training in these fields, including Arkansas Welding Academy in Jacksonville, ASU-Newport, the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville, Ozarka College in Melbourne and ASU-Beebe, all of which are in the Three Rivers Edition coverage area.

Local employers listed on the website include FutureFuel Chemical Co. in Batesville.

For more information, visit beprobeproud.org.

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