In partnership with iDesign, Arkansas community college takes aim at energy and tech workforce shortages with new online degree and certificate programs designed to prepare students for high-demand careers.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark., March 4, 2025 -- University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College (UA-PTC), a two-year comprehensive community college based in North Little Rock with a vision to "foster innovation in advanced technologies and contribute to economic and civic development of communities," today announced plans to launch a state-of-the-art energy grid management training program aimed at closing critical workforce gaps in high-demand industries such as energy grid management.
"Arkansas is at a pivotal moment. As industries evolve and grow, we must ensure our workforce is prepared to meet the demands of tomorrow," said Dr. Summer DeProw, Chancellor of UA-PTC. "Through this partnership with iDesign, UA - Pulaski Tech is creating opportunities for Arkansans to gain the skills and credentials they need to thrive in advanced energy and technology fields while driving economic growth for our state."
To help meet the complex demands of Arkansas' fast-growing economy, the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board is working toward an ambitious goal to increase the number of residents with postsecondary credentials or degrees to 55% by 2030. The state currently faces a significant skills gap in key technology and energy sectors as states work to keep up with the power and IT infrastructure needed to support demand for artificial intelligence.
To address this gap, UA-PTC's new training program will launch a series of new online training courses, industry certifications, and continuing education opportunities tailored to meet the needs of employers in the rapidly evolving energy grid and technology industry. UA-PTC has partnered with major employers such as Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Entergy, Southwest Power Pool, and Midcontent Independent System Operator to ensure the program prepares grid operators for the realities of the modern energy grid workforce.
The curriculum focuses on critical areas such as complex energy systems, grid management, and cybersecurity—rooted in curriculum aligned with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) certification and Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards and combining hands-on training, cutting-edge technology, and industry-aligned certifications to equip students with the skills needed to succeed in high-demand, high-wage careers.
To build the online program, UA-PTC selected Texas-based course developer iDesign, which has worked with hundreds of institutions to design, build and support award-winning online courses. The program utilizes iDesign's Align platform, an AI-assisted curriculum and skills mapping tool that streamlines the development of workforce-aligned programs. With flexible online and hybrid course options, the program will be accessible to working adults and non-traditional students statewide, ensuring broader participation across the state.
"Arkansas is setting a bold example for how state leaders and colleges can develop curriculum and programming that is responsive to the needs of this fast-changing, technology-driven labor market," said Whitney Kilgore, co-founder and CAO of iDesign. "This is about bridging the divide between talent and opportunity and preparing Arkansans to succeed in the kind of high-demand jobs and industries that will drive the new American economy."
UA - Pulaski Tech serves more than 6,000 students annually and is a key player in Arkansas's higher education and workforce development. The college, known for its strong focus on supporting adult and non-traditional learners, was awarded $2 million workforce grant through the HIRED program Track 2 announced by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Department of Commerce Secretary Hugh McDonald, and Chief Workforce Officer Mike Rogers in December 2024. University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College provides access to high-quality education that promotes student learning and enables individuals to develop to their fullest potential. For more information on Pulaski Tech's energy management program, visit www.uaptc.edu.
About iDesign: iDesign partners with colleges and universities to build, grow, and support online and blended programs. Committed to empowering faculty, iDesign combines instructional design expertise with emerging technologies to create innovative courses and degrees. Through its unbundled, fee-for-service model and analytics platform, iDesign enables institutions to deliver high-quality education that meets the evolving needs of students. To learn more, please visit www.idesignedu.org.
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