From Skills to Launch to Success – Amanda Ray’s Story - A Ray of Light

At the heart of every Skills to Launch cohort is a story of courage, growth, and new beginnings - a Ray of Light. For Amanda Ray, a graduate of Cohort 11, that story is one of reinvention.

With a background in sales, Amanda came to Skills to Launch ready to learn something completely new: welding. Her curiosity, determination, and steady leadership stood out early in the program. After completing her training, Amanda was able to combine her communication skills and newfound technical knowledge to secure a position with Airgas, launching a career that merges her past experience with her new passion for the trades.

Amanda’s impact continues to ripple outward. She recently returned to The Innovation Hub to speak with Cohort 12 welding students, sharing her real-world experiences, lessons learned, and encouragement for those nearing graduation. She also spoke at our first annual Skills to Launch Alumni Gathering, where graduates from Cohorts 2 through 12 connected with peers in the trades for support and networking, with many offering to help new graduates by connecting them with potential employers.

We are deeply grateful for Amanda’s generosity in sharing her time and story, and to the Arkansas Office of Skills Development (OSD) for their continued support in making these success stories possible.

If you’ve ever dreamed of a career that combines skill, purpose, and opportunity, now is your time to begin. Applications are open for the next Skills to Launch training, beginning February 12, 2026, in North Little Rock. The application deadline is November 23, 2025.

Learn more and apply today at: https://hub.nlrlibrary.org/pages/skills-to-launch