News

The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) recently awarded approximately $7 million toward 25 workforce development projects supporting economic development and prosperity throughout the lower Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions. Together, the grants impact 62 participating Work Ready Communities. WRC locations funded include 1 from Alabama, 8 from Arkansas, 4 from Louisiana, 12 from Mississippi, 7 from Missouri, and 5 from Tennessee.

Rural workforce ecosystems provide insights on challenges facing rural, midcareer workers. Commissioned by Generation and supported by the Workday Foundation, new research conducted by YouGov highlights key themes also important to Work Ready Communities and ACT's broader Rural Opportunity research in partnership with Opportunity at Work.

The findings point to a shared responsibility across sectors. Employers are encouraged to expand access by offering remote roles and actively considering rural talent. Training providers must develop programs that directly address the concerns and needs of midcareer workers in rural areas. Government has a critical role in directing public investment toward training and job creation strategies that are tailored to this population.

Shelton State Community College Adult Education is getting accolades for its career readiness program and computers for the students in the ACT WorkKeys program. The program was recognized at the Alabama Association for Public Continuing and Adult Education in Montgomery June 24, as noted in this feature from WVUA-TV. Following the program's success, ACT awarded Chromebooks for 20 students who took all four tests within a seven-day window and demonstrated improvement.

The Oswego County Micron Strategy Steering Committee hosted its second annual summit on Thursday, June 20, at SUNY Oswego’s Marano Campus Center auditorium, celebrating a year of significant milestones and strategic collaboration supporting Micron Technology’s historic $100 billion investment in Central New York.

As noted in the Year Two Highlights section, Oswego County earned a designation as the first ACT Work Ready Community in the Northeast, supporting talent pipeline development for advanced manufacturing careers

The Economic Development Corp. of Clark County (EDCCC), in partnership with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), officially broke ground on the newly renamed 991-acre Southwest Arkansas Mega Site on Monday, July 7, 2025, at the Richwood Substation in Gum Springs. 

“Site development is a strategic investment that improves our ability to attract new businesses and create jobs. Project-ready sites send a clear message that our community is serious about growth and ready to compete,” said Shelley Short, CEO of the EDCCC. “With support from AEDC, Governor Sanders, and the Arkansas General Assembly, we’re strengthening regional competitiveness and laying the groundwork for long-term economic growth.”

The American Council on Education (ACE) recently upgraded the academic credit recommendations that institutions might award in a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) framework. As of June 1, 2025 ACE now recommends nine hours for Platinum NCRCs, six for Gold, and three for Silver. 

The Work Ready Community in progress at Caddo Parish, LA welcomed the announcement of a $50 million expansion and enhancement at Ascentek. The company is expected to create 91 direct new jobs in manufacturing, production support and business administration, while also retaining 105 current positions. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in an additional 247 indirect new jobs, for a total of 338 potential new jobs in the Northwest Region.

The Center for Workforce Development hosted the ACT Work Ready Communities Educator Summit on April 24 in the Professional Development Center at BOCES 2. The event brought together school counselors and administrators from all over the region and representatives from area businesses to find out more.

Eleanor McMain Secondary School in New Orleans, Louisiana, takes pride in the tremendous growth it has seen in students’ career readiness achievements. Exceptional student performance is the result of the school’s thoughtful, strategic approach to test for career readiness with ACT® WorkKeys® Assessments, ensuring students can succeed in both their college and career pursuits.

Ten graduates were recognized Friday for completing the Guam Community College’s Certified Nurse Assistant Boot Camp III, a 12-week intensive training program aimed at preparing participants for direct patient care roles across the island’s health care system.

The boot camp trains participants in basic nursing care, patient safety, communication, Basic Life Support, and includes certification through the nationally recognized WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate. The goal is to place graduates immediately into hospital units, long-term care facilities, public health clinics, and home health services.