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�Introduction to Upskill NWA

Feb 2025

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The sectoral based workforce development model has three operational pieces coordinated by Upskill NWA

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Community

NWA Council

Coordination, management,

career navigation, coaching

EDUCATORS

Philanthropy

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EDUCATORS

Certification or degrees, tutors, class counselors

HEALTH

& HUMAN

SERVICES

Childcare, transportation,

social support

EMPLOYERS

Insights into top jobs, mentors, placement fee

THE MODEL

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Multiple elements drive success within Upskill NWA

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Leverages

THE MODEL

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Upskill aligns and leverages many State programs

EARLY RESEARCH

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*Typically, single parent with kids

**Child under 21 at home

***Online classes only

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Upskill NWA is a winning program for all stakeholders

EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS

  • Goal: At least 60% of participants will have persisted in the program
      • Actual: 88%

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WORKFORCE EXPANSION

  • Goal: At least 75% of participants who have graduated will have been placed with NWA employers
      • Actual: 90%
        • Of these, 82% were placed within 90 days
        • Goal: For participants placed with a partner employer, at least 75% will have remained (or will be on track to have remained) with that employer for at least two years.
      • Actual: 88%

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INCOME ADVANCEMENT

  • Goal: For participants placed with a partner employer, at least 75% will have either their annual household income increase to at least 80% AMI or their annual individual income will increase by at least $15,000.
      • Actual: Graduate income levels have increased by $32.7k per year or 132%

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COMMUNITY RETURN ON INVESTMENT

      • Regional Financial Impact: $14.2M over 5 years

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UPSKILL NWA MEASURES OF SUCCESS 12/2024

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Program “Simple” Return on Investment equates to $14.2M over 5 years

PROGRAM RETURN ON INVESTMENT

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Upskill NWA has helped the Northwest Arkansas Region strategy to increase the healthcare workforce

UPSKILL AS A REGIONAL PARTNER

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  • Workforce development builds a resilient workforce and helps position the region as a regional healthcare destination

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  • Contributes annually to the growth of Registered Nurses and other critical healthcare worker roles living and working in Northwest Arkansas hospitals

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  • Community building to ensure broad based public and private financial support and active involvement of community leaders in making investments to ensure economic growth for its municipalities and residents

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Upskill NWA created a consortium of Employer, Community & Education Partners to ensure participant success

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Organizations that serve 3 functions;

Referrals, Resources and USNWA program delivery

Education organizations that serve 2 functions;

Referrals and Career Pathway for Adult Education

COMMUNITY BUILDING

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Upskill NWA Participants 

    • Live in NWA
    • Will Work in NWA
    • Will Thrive in NWA
    • Will Directly impact NWA economy
    • Moves participant and their family’s out of poverty and into lifechanging careers
    • Similar workforce development programs creates a generational impact with 70% of participant’s children enrolling in college vs 45% expected*

  *Ray Marshall Center, University of Texas

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Washington County is a significant contributor to the region’s healthcare workforce

WASHINGTON COUNTY

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DRAFT