SHRM Foundation Receives $1.5 Million from U.S. Department of Labor to Lead Rural Workforce Transformation in Arkansas
"Keeping It Local: Employers Driving Good Jobs in Rural Arkansas" to Address Employment Barriers and Historic Inequities in Union and Craighead Counties.
Alexandria, Va. – The SHRM Foundation has been awarded a $1.5 Million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Workforce Opportunities for Rural Communities (WORC) program to launch a transformative initiative in Arkansas, "Keeping It Local: Employers Driving Good Jobs in Rural Arkansas." This project, developed through a coalition of community partners, aims to address workforce challenges and create sustainable job opportunities for historically underserved populations in Union and Craighead Counties.
Tackling Social and Economic Barriers in Rural Arkansas:
The "Keeping It Local" initiative targets census tracts near Jonesboro and El Dorado, two communities identified as disadvantaged by the Climate and Economic Justice screening tool. These counties face significant employment barriers, such as high unemployment rates, racial disparities, untreated mental health concerns, transportation shortages, and limited access to quality jobs have historically impacted these areas.
The SHRM Foundation’s 2023 research, funded by the Arkansas Department of Education’s Workforce program, highlighted the challenges for workers without traditional degrees and those from historically undervalued populations. Building on this work, "Keeping It Local" will address these issues at scale by empowering employers, workforce partners, and educators to lead community-wide efforts to develop long-term interventions that create economic mobility.
(Waiting on Wendi’s approval) “This initiative goes beyond creating jobs — it’s about empowering employers to drive meaningful change within their communities. By focusing on economic mobility and addressing barriers for underserved populations, we are setting the stage for long-term, sustainable success,” said Wendi Safstrom, President of the SHRM Foundation. “The SHRM Foundation is proud to collaborate with dedicated partners in Arkansas to bring Good Jobs Principles to life, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive in the workplace and beyond.”
SHRM Foundation’s Collaborative Partners:
- Arkansas State University
- Education Design Lab
- Good Jobs Institute
- Jonesboro Unlimited
- Northeast Arkansas Workforce Development
- South Arkansas Community College
- Southwest Arkansas Workforce Development Board
- 40 local employers
Key Focus Areas: The program will prioritize access to “Good Jobs” for women, people of color, veterans, individuals with disabilities, justice-involved individuals, and those living below the poverty line. Through funding provided to both employer and community cohorts, the initiative will create joint and individual projects that focus on empowering these groups, improving access to quality jobs, and addressing critical wrap-around needs.
Sustainable Impact: In addition to supporting immediate job creation, the SHRM Foundation will work to ensure the program's lasting impact by developing case studies, creating employer training resources, and building sustainable community coalitions. This project will provide employers with the tools and support necessary to lead change and foster economic growth by addressing workforce inequities.
The SHRM Foundation, along with its partners, is committed to advancing equity and economic opportunity for rural communities in Arkansas, and this funding from the U.S. Department of Labor is an important step in that journey.
About the SHRM Foundation
SHRM Foundation empowers Human Resources as a force for social good. As the nonprofit arm of SHRM, the world's largest HR professional society, the Foundation believes that HR holds a unique position to lead change in the face of complex challenges within the world of work. The organization mobilizes and equips HR to ensure the prosperity and thriving of talent and workplaces. The Foundation works by widening pathways to work for more skills-first candidates and more kinds of talent; tackling societal challenges, with a current focus on workplace mental health and wellness; and strengthening the HR field with even more diversity, growth, and readiness to address these needs. SHRM Foundation works with SHRM, courageous partners, and bold investors to generate awareness, action, and impact to build a world of work that works for all. Discover more at SHRMFoundation.org.
About SHRM
SHRM is a member-driven catalyst for creating better workplaces where people and businesses thrive together. As the trusted authority on all things work, SHRM is the foremost expert, researcher, advocate, and thought leader on issues and innovations impacting today’s evolving workplaces. With nearly 340,000 members in 180 countries, SHRM touches the lives of more than 362 million workers and their families globally. Discover more at SHRM.org.
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