Jonesboro, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – With job opportunities growing in Northeast Arkansas, a program at Arkansas State University is aiming to help local companies find qualified workers to operate highly technical facilities.

Operating under the Delta Center for Economic Development at Arkansas State University, the Career Readiness Education & Skills Training (CREST) program was developed in 2025 after state research identified specific local industries projected to experience severe employee shortages over the next decade.

“Our mission is to take high school students, college students, current employees who can upskill, and community members… and provide them with the opportunities to be educated and gain the skills and knowledge to be placed into specific industries here in Northeast Arkansas,” program director Natalie Draper said.

Tailored for the Industry

CREST focuses on four primary workforce pathways: industrial controls, steel technology, food science, and engineering technology. Rather than relying on traditional classroom lectures, the curriculum is built around the technical requirements local employers demand.

Draper said the training directly reflects technology found on modern production floors. Notably, CREST’s engineering technology pathway places a heavy emphasis on artificial intelligence, reflecting an industry-wide pivot toward automation.

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“We want our students to be set up for day one. When they walk onto an industrial floor, they are completing lab hours on the exact same machinery they will use on the job,” she explained.

To support this model, a new CREST Center is currently under construction on the A-State campus, specifically designed to house state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment and simulated industrial training spaces.

Building the “Whole Package”

To make sure graduates come out with strong communication skills and are dependable, CREST builds soft skills and workplace accountability directly into its curriculum.

Draper said students work alongside dedicated career counselors as they near program completion, refining critical thinking, verbal communication, and team-building strategies. Training facilities even incorporate real-world accountability measures such as requiring students to scan electronic badges to enter training floors.

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“Employers like adaptability, but overall, our students are prepared for work on day one,” she said. “They can step in alongside a veteran employee very quickly. It’s a complete package—communication, dependability, and work ethic combined with technical training.”

Direct Industry Collaboration

A key factor behind CREST’s early traction is its partnership with local industrial leaders, including manufacturing companies like Hytrol.

Draper said to get a better idea of how to structure their courses, program leadership holds roundtables with corporate partners on what their dream employee is.

Among the offerings, the industrial controls pathway has seen rapid momentum. As one of the shortest and most high-demand programs, she said it has enabled many workers to quickly learn new skills and earn promotions at their current jobs.

Looking ahead over the next five years, Draper envisions CREST solidifying its position as the premier workforce engine across Northeast Arkansas, adapting alongside emerging technologies and increasing corporate requirements.

“Our mission is to be right there with the employers every step of the way, staying adaptable and creating sustainable pathways that strengthen the whole region,” she said.

For those looking to transition into regional industrial careers, fall enrollment for CREST is underway. Two of the core programs are offered at no cost, with scholarship support available for additional pathways.

The deadline to register for upcoming fall classes at partner institutions including Arkansas State University, Arkansas Northeastern College, and ASU-Newport is Aug. 19.

To learn more or apply, visit CREST’s website, email crest@astate.edu, or contact the Delta Center for Economic Development at (870) 972-3000.

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