State Workforce Investment Board

Arkansas Workforce Investment Board
Cindy Varner, Assistant Director for Employment Assistance
2 Capitol Mall
Little Rock, AR 72203
Phone: (501) 371-1028
Fax: (501) 683-5858
Email: cindy.varner@arkansas.gov

Key Workforce Priorities

1. High Growth/Career Pathways Initiative: Develop educational pathways to high wage/high demand occupations.
2. English Proficiency Initiative: Remove barriers to successful workforce entry and career advancement for persons with limited English proficiency.
3. Mature Worker Initiative: Promote the value of mature workers to the State’s labor force.
4. Arkansas Disabilities Initiative: Facilitate occupational and professional mobility for persons.

Fast Facts

• From June 2009 to June 2010 Arkansas had the 7th highest percent change in employment. Only 10 other states had positive growth over this same time period.
• In November 2010, the unemployment rates in Arkansas’ 75 counties ranged from a low of 5.3 percent to a high of 16.3 percent.
• In December 2010, Arkansas’ unemployment rate was 7.9 percent. Compared to other states, Arkansas ranks 18th (out of 51) in terms of unemployment rates.

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