Jonesboro Leads With Solutions

While the U.S. laments the shortage of skilled workers, Jonesboro works hard to ensure that local industry demands for skilled employees are met.  Jonesboro has solutions in place for training current employees and continues to develop a full pipeline of skilled workers for future employment.  The Workforce Training Consortium (WTC) offers training ranging from welding to blueprint reading to mechatronics (advanced manufacturing) to OSHA certification classes to supply chain management instruction - all provided to WTC member employees at very cost effective prices.  In addition, the Northeast Arkansas Career & Technical Center (NEACTC) develops skills of high school aged students and prepares them to enter the workforce upon high school graduation or to pursue post secondary education.  Internships and apprenticeships create mutually beneficial opportunities.  The WTC and NEACTC are just part of the overall workforce development strategy in Jonesboro.  For more information feel free to contact Shelle Randall at 870.933.5757 or at srandall@jonesborochamber.com. 

Kudos to Northeast Arkansas Career & Technical Center!

Our local vocational school, the Northeast Arkansas Career & Technical Center (NEACTC), recently received a national award given to only three other schools in the country.  The coveted national Gold Improvement Award from Technology Centers That Work will be presented to the school next month in New Orleans.  The school, located behind Jonesboro High School, serves 13 area schools and provides training that enhances the skills of the future workforce of our region, as well as preparing students for post-secondary education.  Click for The Sun article.

Transformational v. Transactional Leadership

Transformational leadership can literally transform your organization, say some experts.  According to them it's simply common sense and treating people right.  There are five characteristics of a transformational leader, and Rick Fulwiler, president of Technology Leadership Associates, describes them in the attached article.  Click here for entire article.

Manufacturing Employment Shows Slight Increase in May

Manufacturing job gains were at 12,000 for the month of May, which was an increase from April's gain of 9,000 jobs.  However, according to the executive director for the Alliance for American Manufacturing, the growth in factory jobs does not meet the steady upward trend seen since 2010, and there is a noticeable slowing in manufacturing hiring.  Click here for article.