Work Force Training Center
Established in 1999, the Workforce Training Center is a consortium of industry, business, and education entities in Monticello and the surrounding region. Our purpose is to provide low cost training opportunities and services to strengthen the workforce in southeast Arkansas. The Center contains classrooms, meeting rooms, computer lab, welding lab, and Certified Nursing Assistant classroom.
Individuals seeking employment or seeking to upgrade employment can register with Arkansas Department of WorkForce Services, create or update a resume, search job listings, conduct job-search related email and faxing, receive information on training available to improve job skills, and receive information on course offerings and enrollment requirements at post-secondary institutions.
Customized training is developed for Consortium Members to meet local industry/business needs to train and retrain employees. Curriculum is developed and approved by the Advisory Council and its committees.
Partners housed in the Workforce Training Center include Adult Education, Youth Development, and the Drew County Literacy Council. Each partner is separate and manages its own program and budget.
Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, Drew County Department of Human Services, and Veterans Employment Services are also accessible through the Center.
History of the Workforce Training Center
The Workforce Training Center started as a request from local business and industry to supply a place to train and retrain the workforce in Monticello. They were frustrated with trying to identify training resources and having to outsource many training opportunities which our workforce needed in order for the industry to remain competitive in today's market.
The Center became a reality in the spring of 1999 with the approval of an appropriation from the legislature to the Monticello School District for $300,000. The Monticello Economic Development Commission leased the building from the school district for 99 years. Renovation at the site was, in part, completed by the appropriation and from the sale of timber on property owned by MEDC and a cooperative loan from the four area banks. The loan was secured with rents to be collected from tenants in the building.
The building was officially dedicated in November of 99 as the George R French Workforce Training Center.
Workforce Training Center
809 Hwy 278 East
P.O. Box 1890
Monticello, AR 71655
Phone: (870)367-7882
Fax: (870)367-5575