The University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College (UAPTC) was awarded a $5,736,624 Project Grant by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration under the Workforce Data Quality Initiative (CFDA 17.261) program. The grant will fund the "Bridging Healthcare Workforce Shortages in Arkansas" (BRIDGE-AR) initiative, a statewide partnership to develop and implement healthcare workforce training programs, with a focus on nursing and emergency medical services (EMT).
The BRIDGE-AR initiative aims to align and enhance existing healthcare training resources and create evidence-based pathways to mid- to high-wage careers, while closing equity gaps for underserved Black and Hispanic students. Key activities include establishing a statewide healthcare steering committee, leveraging resources to sustain and scale the program, and awarding industry-recognized credentials such as CNA, EMT, LPN, and RN. The 4-year project period runs from May 1, 2024 through June 30, 2028 and involves a consortium of six Arkansas two-year institutions and various workforce and healthcare industry partners.
Generated 2/25/25, 4:30 AM