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Workforce Services praises low unemployment, outlines training and placement efforts
Summary
Daryl Bassett told the committee Arkansas’ unemployment rate is 3.6%, detailed DWS programs including apprenticeships and mobile workforce centers, and said the Arkansas Works employment initiative has placed about 6,800 people into jobs.
Daryl Bassett, director of the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, briefed the Senate committee on the agency’s programs and labor market work.
Bassett said Arkansas’ unemployment rate is 3.6% and described DWS operations: 33 field offices, 832 employees and mobile workforce centers that help during economic disruptions. He said DWS operates 63 registered apprenticeship programs and primarily uses federal funding ("just over $1,000,000,000"), and provided handouts listing the state’s top demand occupations (the "Hot 45").
In response to a question from Senator Hammer, Bassett said DWS tracks roughly 42,000 occupations and the Hot 45 are a condensed list of the most in‑demand roles; he also said DWS coordinates with career and technical education providers.
Bassett asked committee members to contact him with questions about legislative items related to the agency and offered follow‑up help with district‑level labor market information.
