UA Little Rock to Bring Education and Industry Together at Workforce Summit
Industry and higher education may not always speak the same language, but the University of Arkansas at Little Rock is bringing them to the same table.
On Sept. 24, leaders from education, industry, government, and workforce organizations will gather at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock for the inaugural Workforce Summit, a day focused on strengthening partnerships and finding new ways to meet Central Arkansas’ evolving workforce needs.
UA Little Rock’s role extends beyond preparing students for their first jobs; it also supports the next tier workforce development: “helping working professionals build advanced skills, earn specialized credentials, and move into higher-level or emerging occupations,” said Dr. Aaron Duvall, the university’s executive director of workforce development. “A four-year university like UA Little Rock can contribute a complementary layer to the work community colleges are doing in workforce development through advanced education and credentialing, applied research, professional upskilling, and community partnerships that help employers adapt, innovate, and develop their future leadership pipelines.”
The summit is expected to draw 150 to 200 attendees to share ideas and explore strategies for preparing and retaining the talent Central Arkansas needs while examining how stronger connections between education and industry can contribute to the region’s economic growth.
“One thing I’m especially excited about is bringing community and university stakeholders together to showcase the many ways UA Little Rock is actively working to close workforce and economic gaps across Central Arkansas and beyond,” said Duvall. “These connections are incredibly valuable because they create opportunities for education and industry — two sectors that often speak different languages — to collaborate directly.”
That collaboration will take several forms throughout the summit, such as panel discussions, student and mentor reflections, presentations, and breakout sessions.
Among the summit’s highlights will be an executive and legislative workforce panel moderated by Hunter Field, editor of Arkansas Business. Panelists will include Dr. Ken Warden, commissioner of the Arkansas Division of Higher Education; Jack Thomas, senior vice president of economic development for the Little Rock Regional Chamber; state Rep. Mary Bentley; and Pulaski County Justice of the Peace Steven Person.
Student interns and their mentors will also share their experiences with experiential learning, offering a firsthand look at how partnerships between the university and employers can help prepare students for the workforce.
The summit will also feature a keynote address from Minnesota-based workforce speaker Scott Zimmer on managing an intergenerational team, as well as an economic forecast from Dr. Michael Pakko of the Arkansas Economic Development Institute.
Breakout sessions will give attendees opportunities to explore workforce topics and programs in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, nursing, social work, early childhood education, business development, and corporate business training.
Beyond bringing workforce leaders together for a day of discussion, the summit will highlight the role a four-year university can play in meeting the region’s workforce needs.
“It is important for community and industry leaders to understand the vital role a four-year university can play in workforce development through advanced certifications, academic and professional skills certificates of proficiency, and upskilling opportunities,” Duvall said.
The Workforce Summit in the Ledbetter Rooms of the Donaghey Student Center will also include breakout sessions held at locations across the UA Little Rock campus. Registration begins at 9 a.m., and the program will start at 9:30 a.m.
Registration is open through the day of the event. Those interested in attending can register online through the Workforce Summit registration form.