The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith announced a $1 million investment from ABB to help position the institution as one of the nation’s leading advanced manufacturing educational institutions. This announcement, made at the SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington D.C. follows ABB’s recent commitment to invest $170 million in manufacturing and distribution operations in 2023.
UAFS and ABB are longstanding partners in education and workforce development programs that create pathways for students and early career professionals to develop skills across advanced manufacturing as well as training for existing workers. This initiative will focus primarily on postsecondary education with a curriculum designed by UAFS for roles in advanced manufacturing, engineering, automation, design process, and technology for manufacturing.
“In order to compete on a global scale, U.S. manufacturers like ABB must invest in a continuous pipeline of technically skilled talent,” said Jesse Henson, President, ABB NEMA Motors Division. “Driven by our partnership with UAFS, we are rethinking the way communities approach career and technical education in the K-12 and university systems to build strong relationships with businesses and customers.”
The workforce development programs at UAFS enable students, adult learners, displaced workers and veterans to develop the skills necessary to compete in today’s labor market. With the pace of technology advancing faster than ever, and U.S. manufacturers needing to fill 4 million jobs by 2030, collaborative community- based partnerships are essential to achieve long-term growth and success.
“UAFS is a regional educational leader that delivers cutting-edge curriculum, using stateof- the-art equipment, to develop the skills workers will need to keep pace with technology and automation,” said Dr. Terisa Riley, Chancellor, University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. “Our goal is to create a talented, knowledgeable workforce that has the advanced skill sets required for the jobs of today, and more importantly, the jobs of tomorrow. Achieving our goals naturally sets the stage for western Arkansas to become the hub for economic development in our region.”
Since 2010, ABB has invested a combined $14 billion in the U.S. through acquisitions, plant expansions, operational improvements, state-of-the-art equipment, products, and people, making it the company’s largest market. With approximately 20,000 employees in more than 40 manufacturing and distribution facilities, ABB is investing, growing and serving customers across America through industries that create jobs, encourage innovation and achieve a more productive, sustainable future.
