Skills to Launch

The PPG Foundation granted funding to continue our workforce development efforts through The Innovation Hub's Skills to Launch Program. The PPG Foundation has been a funding partner of the program for three consecutive years, now. We want to take just a moment to thank our long-standing partner as we near the graduation date for Skills To Launch Cohort IX! We are immensely grateful for the generosity of PPG and feel privileged to have been able to use the funds to offer full scholarships to individuals from minority and marginalized communities. We serve individuals who are dedicated to pursuing a career in the skilled trade industry but lack the necessary resources to further their education and goals. To date, 137 participants...

“Coming to the Hub and experiencing this place kept me motivated because there’s so much good energy in this building. Every time I leave the Hub, I come out more energized, and my day is brighter…Coming here each week was like therapy to me.” Kylan Vance, a Skills to Launch Cohort IX graduate from the HVAC track, would not be the first student to mention how motivating and energizing this program is. The team at The Hub is dedicated to making sure each participant gets the support that they need to succeed. “I would like to thank Mary, Lauren, Matt, my classmates, my family and friends, and also my girlfriend for keeping me in check and for pushing me. All gas,...

“Thank you, Microsoft TechSpark! You have enabled individuals to start a completely new career path, and it may change the entire trajectory of their lives! We knew when we applied for the Microsoft TechSpark Grant that it was going to be something really special, and it has DEFINITELY blown us away! Thank you so much for entrusting us with these funds and helping make dreams come true!” – Errin Stanger.   The Microsoft TechSpark Grant allowed us to fund and include an IT track in this past Cohort IX, providing a full scholarship to 10 participants. “We couldn’t have done it without you!”

We genuinely enjoy getting to know each participant in the Skills to Launch program on an individual level. Even though it is only a 10-week program, we emphasize making sure that each participant feels valued and respected. As the program is smaller and more intimate than traditional college coursework, and we focus heavily on building relationships, trust, and soft skills, it is natural for the participants to bond with one another. This was especially apparent with the HVAC track. Matt LeMaster, a UAPTC instructional partner since the program’s inception, prioritizes fostering a sense of community, teamwork, kindness, and understanding among his students. The camaraderie and cheers were contagious and heartwarming! It was evident in the classroom, lab, and during graduation...

We are excited to share the success stories that have emerged from the Skills to Launch program at the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub. This program, with its hands-on training and soft skills development, has been instrumental in boosting the confidence of our participants. The exposure and exploration they have experienced have been transformative. They have had the opportunity to interact with like-minded individuals, learning from each other’s experiences and achievements. In a safe and supportive environment, they have been able to experiment with various trade crafts. From the very beginning, we have emphasized that this is a judgment-free zone, a place where participants can explore and grow without fear of criticism. We would like to take a moment to highlight...

As our Skills to Launch Cohort IX comes to an end, and as our participants begin their journeys of applying and interviewing for positions within their chosen trade paths, we want to reiterate these beautiful words of encouragement, words of wisdom shared by our outgoing director, Errin Stanger. “Please stay focused on your goals.  And keep BELIEVING in yourself….Keep surrounding yourself with others who are going to continue to lift you up. And I also want to remind you that you cannot do this alone.  I truly believe that we were made to be a community, and we need a good community around us … to root us on.  So, just continue to surround yourself with the right people….Keep dreaming...

Participants of the Skills to Launch Welding program recently received their welding kits, marking a beautiful moment in their journey. Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Arkansas Office of Skills Development and UA Pulaski Tech Business and Industry Center, our students are now equipped with the necessary tools and skills to pursue a career in welding. Upon completion of the program, our participants boast an impressive 85% job placement rate, a testament to the effectiveness of our training. This life-changing opportunity not only enhances their technical skills but also fosters personal growth, transforming their lives forever. We are grateful to be part of this growth alongside our partners and aim to provide as much support as possible during this...

We want to take a moment to thank our partners at Seal Solar. Seal Solar's #1 Priority throughout our Skills to Launch Program is safety, and that priority is evident starting day one in the thoroughness of training provided. The Innovation Hub's Skills to Launch program has been in operation since the Fall of 2020 and has graduated 137 participants. Cohort IX began this week, and we are so excited to see our students' progress! We are devoted to providing training that prepares our graduates to confidently enter the workforce.

Exciting News!  The Innovation Hub is thrilled to kick off Skills to Launch Cohort IX, our largest group yet, with 34 outstanding students! Over the next 10 weeks, these students will embark on a journey of personal and professional growth, and we can't wait to see what they will accomplish! A special shout-out to Sanders ACE Hardware Sanders ACE Hardware in Little Rock, Arkansas, for their incredible support and partnership! They generously contributed top-notch tool kits for each of our Construction students, each kit includes essentials like a torpedo level, framing hammer, lineman's pliers, and MUCH more. To Sanders ACE Hardware, your commitment to empowering the next generation of innovators is truly commendable. Thank you for being an essential part of...