Skills to Launch

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...

We’re thrilled to share some incredible news from Cohort 11 of Skills to Launch—six of our graduates have already received job offers!  Please join us in congratulating: Tiffany Niehaus – Luck Be a Lady Rentals & Repairs Eric Wilson – Middleton Heat & Air Daveon Ragins – Middleton Heat & Air Corben Hutchison – Plastic Ingenuity Antwoine Hudson – Tru-Fab Jimmy Barajas – Tyson Foods For most, this marks the beginning of a new and exciting career path. For some, it’s an upward step within their current organization—a door opening to a new direction, greater responsibility, and well-earned advancement.  Whether you’re just getting started or starting over, this journey proves that growth and purpose are always within reach.  Interested in...

As we celebrate the graduation of Cohort 11 of the Skills to Launch program, we pause to reflect on something deeply important: this life-changing opportunity would not be possible without the unwavering generosity of our funders and community partners. Because of you, this program remains completely free of charge for individuals who are working hard to transform their lives, build new futures, and launch meaningful careers. Your belief in this mission ripples outward - into homes, workplaces, and communities. From all of us at The North Little Rock Public Library System’s Innovation Hub, and from every student who has walked through our doors with hope in their hearts: thank you. Long-Term Funders Who Make This Work Possible: Arkansas Office of...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE [North Little Rock, June 25, 2025] –  The North Little Rock Public Library System’s Innovation Hub proudly celebrated the graduation of 24 students from Cohort 11 of its Skills to Launch program, a free 10-week workforce development initiative offering hands-on trade training and essential professional skills. Launched in 2020, Skills to Launch continues to serve adults from diverse backgrounds who are seeking career change, stability, or a second chance. The program blends technical training in high-demand trades with professional development in communication, goal-setting, resume writing, and financial literacy. Graduates captured the spirit of the program by sharing: “I just felt like I belonged here.""Skills to Launch totally changed my outlook—my perception of things.""It brought out the best...

Congratulations to our incredible Skills to Launch Cohort 11 graduates!  To all 24 of you, we see your commitment, your growth, and your grit. You showed up, leaned in, and transformed not only your skillsets but your mindset.  Over the past 10 weeks, you’ve learned trades, strengthened your soft skills, and built a foundation for something bigger. You've proven that it’s never too late to grow, to dream, and to launch yourselves into something new. We are so incredibly proud of each of you, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds. This is only the beginning.  Pictures are worth a thousand words, but you'll find that video says even more! https://youtu.be/3xNl2-IQ9yo?feature=shared