FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
06/07/2021

Arkansas— Sevier County announced today, they have engaged in the process to become a certified ACT Work Ready Community. This practice demonstrates their commitment to developing a strong workforce pipeline, desirable to employers, economic developers, and current and future citizens of the county.

The ACT® Work Ready Communities (ACT® WRC) initiative empowers states, regions, and counties with data, processes, and tools that drive economic growth by identifying skills gaps and quantifying the skill level of their workforce. Participants leverage the ACT® WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate® (ACT® WorkKeys® NCRC®) to measure and close skills gaps and build common frameworks that link, align, and match their workforce development efforts.

To begin the Work Ready Communities process, Sevier County leaders attended the ACT Work Ready Communities Boot Camp, an executive leadership and training program designed and led by ACT to initiate, deploy, and drive carefully tailored efforts to improve the county’s work readiness. Leaders meet with local employers, policymakers, educators, and economic developers to reach established goals and build a sustainable WRC model to fit community needs.

“Work Ready Communities have an advantage in economic development in terms of workforce readiness, site selection, and business attraction efforts. Pursuing this initiative is evidence of Sevier County’s ability to address workforce needs,” said Tiffany Maurer, Director of Economic Development for Sevier County.

“Congratulations to Sevier County for joining this initiative, and a growing list of counties dedicated to building a robust workforce,” said ACT Regional Manager, Cheri Tune. “The determination of Sevier County’s leadership to engage in this process demonstrates active partnerships between all stakeholders in the community and will provide the county with an economic development advantage, helping them stand out nationally for their workforce development efforts.”

For more information on this initiative, go to www.workreadycommunities.org and view all of ACT’s workforce solutions at www.act.org/workforce