SAU Foundation receives $50,000 gift from ExxonMobil for Workforce Development Center

Southern Arkansas University has received a $50,000 gift from Exxon Mobil Corporation to support construction of the SAU Workforce Development Center, a 4,800-square-foot facility that will train students and adult job seekers for careers in critical mineral production, advanced manufacturing and related industries in Southwest Arkansas.

“We are deeply grateful to ExxonMobil for investing in the future workforce of Southwest Arkansas,” said Dr. Connie Wilson, vice president for advancement at Southern Arkansas University. “This gift will directly translate into hands-on training opportunities for students and job seekers who are building careers in industries growing right here in our region.”

Located next to the Natural Resource Research Center on SAU’s campus, the Center will serve as the hands-on training location for students from K-12 school districts enrolled in career and technical education workforce development programs taught by regional two-year LiTHIUMLEARNS partner institutions, such as South Arkansas College’s industrial engineering technology program and the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana’s construction technology program. Equipment procured through a grant will provide extended hands-on training opportunities for SAU engineering students and enhance SAU’s ability to deliver professional skills development programs to adults.

A chemical industry training lab featuring a Polaris Hands-on Training (HOT) Unit will anchor the industry-ready program. The HOT unit is an educational model of a chemical processing unit that operates with water to provide realistic, simulated work experience on equipment used by regional critical mineral producers.

“The addition of the SAU Workforce Development Center enhances regional labor force readiness by serving as a home for existing programs,” said Sheryl Edwards, associate vice president for strategic initiatives and director of LiTHIUMLEARNS. “It also provides an opportunity for SAU to identify gaps in current programming and develop new training programs. Advanced manufacturing equipment planned for the Center will be used to not only provide critical mineral workforce-related training but also provide aerospace and defense workforce readiness training.”