Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Workforce Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate committee advances bill to broaden Arkansas workforce board
Summary
Senate Bill 522, presented by Sen. Jane English with industry partner Eric Bench (Walmart), would continue and expand the state career and workforce development structure and formalize an Office of Skills Development; the committee approved the measure after members sought assurances on minority and regional representation.
Senator Jane English on Monday introduced Senate Bill 522 to extend and formalize Arkansas' career education and workforce development structure, asking the Office of Skills Development and the Career and Workforce Development Board to oversee efforts to align education and employer needs across the state.
"I'm Jane English, senator, and, I'm here to present, senate bill 522," English told the Senate Education Committee. The bill would continue a board created in 2015 and bring together representatives from health care, agriculture, transportation and other industries to identify workforce gaps and propose solutions.
Eric Bench, regional maintenance manager for Walmart Transportation Fleet Maintenance, described employer partnerships with vo‑tech schools. "Throughout my entire career, we've made it a point to partner with our technical schools to try to promote development and build a pipeline for talent," Bench said, noting use of accredited curricula such as NATEF and ongoing internships from Arkansas technical campuses.
Committee members raised diversity and representation questions. Senator Chesterfield asked why minority business and Department of Labor perspectives were not explicitly listed among voting members; English replied those agencies serve as ex officio members and offered to accept an amendment to add a minority business representative by name. Members also discussed the bill's authority to create industry-specific subcommittees so local and regional employers can raise needs not obvious in statewide labor statistics.
Supporters said the bill builds on successful local models—Senator English cited an industrial maintenance program in Siloam Springs that led to multiple training sites—and aims to let educators, industry and higher education collaborate on curriculum, internships and credentialing. Bench told the committee the partnership work has improved students' workplace readiness.
After questions and an offer to add targeted membership by amendment, the committee moved the bill forward. A voice vote recorded the committee's approval to advance SB 522 to the next stage.
The committee plans to reconvene Friday to take up remaining items on the calendar.
