The Arkansas Delta Training and Education Consortium

Program Info click here to go to website Organization Type: Public-private Partnership Contact: Dr. Gibson "Sunny" Morris Liaison for Special Projects Office of the President Arkansas Delta Training and Education Consortium (ADTEC) Phone: (479) 409-4790 Email: smorris@midsouthcc.edu The Arkansas Delta Training & Education Consortium (ADTEC) is a partnership of five community colleges of the University of Arkansas System—Mid-South Community College, Arkansas Northeastern College, East Arkansas Community College, Arkansas State University–Newport, and Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas—to provide a regional response to workforce development for the Arkansas Delta. Funded by a U.S. Department of Labor grant, ADTEC was established in 2005 and impacts 12 Arkansas Delta counties. The U.S. Department of Labor recently selected the ADTEC service area to receive a Workforce Innovations in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) planning grant. As the workforce training arm of the WIRED project, ADTEC is a critical component in the transformation of the economy of the Arkansas Delta. ADTEC’s goals include: To provide a comprehensive, regional approach to education/training To share faculty, equipment, curriculum and best practices To provide a broad range of services at lower cost To promote regional economic development The partnership is unique in that all member colleges have collaborated to share curriculum and support strategies while pursuing the ultimate goal of growing jobs and economic opportunity in the region. ADTEC used this strategy to develop a Career Pathway in Advanced Manufacturing, along with 13 representatives from manufacturing industries located in the ADTEC colleges’ service areas, such as Hino, DENSO, Nucor-Yamato Steel, JR Simplot, Producers Rice Mill, American Greetings, and Maverick Tube LP. The companies participated in DACUM (Developing A CurriculUM) workshops to help shape and advanced manufacturing curriculum in terms of regional industry needs. Student learning is measured by industry-defined competencies, and program success is measured by a common set of outcome indicators to ensure that resources are being used efficiently and effectively. High school juniors and seniors have the opportunity to enter an education/career pathway by enrolling in college-level programs on each consortium college campus, while concurrently earning high school and college credit. Students that successfully complete designated two-year programs earn a certificate of proficiency and up to 24 college credits that apply toward a technical certificate and associate of applied science degree. Students may go to work in the selected field of study, and return at any time to re-enter the pathway and achieve the next educational level. College students, adult learners, incumbent workers and unemployed individuals may also enter a career pathway and advance through different levels of certification or educational attainment. The short-term, more immediate successes and ability to re-enter the workforce fosters lifelong learning principles.