August 28, 2009
East Arkansas Community College-Forrest City
Press Release-Photo Attached

East Arkansas Community College and Boar’s Head Provisions Company in Forrest City have formed a strategic partnership to develop and deliver an innovative customized workforce training program for employees in the plant’s maintenance department. Employees enrolled in the program receive a comprehensive learning experience designed to enhance their work-related skill sets while they earn college credit from EACC.

This program is the result of ongoing dialogue between EACC, local Boar’s Head management and representatives from the company’s headquarters.  “We worked together to develop a program to meet the company’s business goals while at the same time offering their employees an opportunity to continue their education while working schedules that do not fit traditional on-campus classes,” said Tiffany Billingsley, Director of Continuing Education and Workforce Development at EACC.  The customized curriculum incorporates interactive CD, instructor-led instruction, and hands-on experience to provide the participants with relevant, timely training that can be immediately applied in their workplace.

Specialized equipment relevant to industrial maintenance was transported from the EACC Technology Center to the Boar’s Head facility in Forrest City so employees could have an initial hands-on training session prior to officially beginning the program. Students will complete the hands-on training at EACC’s Technology Center which  houses training equipment for manufacturing, electronics, welding, hydraulics & pneumatics, computer controlled machining, plastic molding, and basic machine shop equipment.

“We applaud Boar’s Head for investing in their existing workforce in eastern Arkansas, said Dr. Coy Grace, EACC President. “This program is a great example of public and private entities creating an alliance to strengthen and enhance the workforce in the Delta Region. One of the main missions of EACC is to provide our area industries and workforce with customized training at every level. Partnerships like this results in constructive changes for participating employees and increased productivity for their employers. Linkages between higher education and industry brings everyone to the table and creates benefits for all involved.”

Photo: Jack DeLoach (far right), EACC Advanced Manufacturing Instructor and Janice Bailey (center), Human Resources Training Coordinator at Boar’s Head, and employees in the Boar’s Head Plant Maintenance Department.