Arkansas Construction Education Foundation

09/23/2026

Pre-Apprenticeship classes are officially underway in Springdale! Students are getting hands-on training, spending time on equipment, and building real skills while learning more about careers in the construction industry.
We’re looking forward to a great year with this group! A big thank you to the Springdale School District and our instructors for their continued support and for helping make this opportunity possible for students.

09/03/2026

We’re preparing for another great year of Pre-Apprenticeship at ACEF!
Here’s a peek at some of the hands-on work students have the opportunity to take part in throughout the program. These projects give students the chance to build real skills, learn from industry professionals, and experience what a career in construction can look like.
Thank you to Forsgren Inc. and Peak Innovation Center for your continued partnership and for providing hands-on projects for our students. We’re looking forward to another great year!

08/19/2026

Now that the school year is underway, we’re seeing this opportunity in action as ACEF apprentices across Arkansas take advantage of the Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship! The expansion of the scholarship to include Apprenticeship was made possible through collaboration between ACEF, industry partners, and state leaders during the 2025 legislative session.
We brought together Representative Robin Lundstrum, AGC Arkansas, and ACEF leadership to reflect on how that work came together and what it means for apprentices today.
Eligible ACEF apprentices now have the opportunity to have their tuition covered through the scholarship, removing a financial barrier to training and making Registered Apprenticeship more accessible across the state.
We’re thankful for everyone who dedicated their time and efforts throughout this process, and we’re excited to see the doors this opportunity is opening for Arkansas apprentices and our state’s workforce.

08/06/2026

We are proud to support this effort by partnering with UA–Pulaski Tech! Through ACEF's Pre-Apprenticeship Program, participants will receive hands-on instruction and industry-recognized credentials that prepare them for careers in Arkansas' construction industry.
By providing this next step in their training, we're helping create a pathway for participants to continue into Registered Apprenticeship programs in the skilled trades. We're grateful for the opportunity to provide YouthBuild participants with this opportunity and help them take the next step toward a career in the skilled trades!

08/03/2026

We’re back! Another school year at ACEF is officially underway, and we can’t wait to see what this year has in store‼️

07/31/2026

If you haven’t had a chance to read this quarters AGC Blueprint, take a look at the exciting work happening at ACEF and AGC Arkansas.

From the progress on our new training campus to the continued growth of apprenticeship and workforce development, we’re proud of what we’re building together! Thank you to AGC Arkansas for your continued partnership, and investment in the future of Arkansas’ construction industry.

07/23/2026

‼️Big news for ACEF Apprentices‼️

For the first time ever, ACEF apprentices may be eligible to have their tuition covered through the Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship.

Beginning this school year, eligible apprentices can apply for scholarship funding that may cover 100% of their ACEF tuition while they complete their training!

This is an opportunity for current and future apprentices, and we’re excited to help as many students as possible take advantage of it. The application takes 10 minutes or less, and our team is here to help every step of the way!

Visit the application portal to get started:
https://portal-sams.adhe.edu/portal/financial-aid/ihe

07/20/2026

As we prepare to kick off another school year, we have a lot of exciting things happening at ACEF!
Here's a peek at the progress as construction continues on our new training campus. Inside the main facility, classrooms, offices, training spaces, and hands-on labs are taking shape as renovations move forward. Outside, the slab for our future Heavy Civil Training Shop has also been prepped and is ready for concrete, marking another major milestone in the project's progress!
We have plenty more to share very soon, including new student opportunities and other exciting announcements. Stay tuned!

07/16/2026

Thank you to Bryan Day and Port of Little Rock for the opportunity to share more about the work we're doing at the Arkansas Construction Education Foundation.
We're grateful to be part of a community that is committed to growing Arkansas's workforce, and we're excited for the opportunities ahead as we continue building our new home at the Port of Little Rock. We appreciate the continued support and look forward to what's to come!

PORTSIDE WITH BRYAN

Economic development doesn’t happen by accident. It is the result of visionary leadership, careful planning, and a commitment to making investments today that will create opportunities for tomorrow.

Today, the Little Rock Port Authority Board of Directors held its monthly meeting, marking an important leadership transition as Stan Hastings assumed the role of Board Chair. We also recognized and thanked Clay McGeorge for his outstanding leadership and dedicated service during the past two years as Board Chair. His steady guidance has helped position the Port for continued growth and success.

During the meeting, the Board heard presentations from the Arkansas Construction Education Foundation and the American Heart Association. Both organizations are helping industries build stronger workforces by expanding training opportunities, improving employee well-being, and supporting healthier workplaces—critical components of long-term economic competitiveness.

The Board also approved additional geotechnical investigations on the Port’s Acre Mega Site, another important step in preparing this strategic property for future industrial development. In addition, the Board authorized contracts to acquire approximately 500 acres from three separate landowners, continuing the Port’s long-range strategy to expand development opportunities, attract new industries, and create high-quality jobs for Central Arkansas.

Finally, the Board approved a resolution supporting the Quapaw Nation’s application to place approximately five acres of land they own at the Port into trust with the federal government.

I want to personally thank the seven members of the Little Rock Port Authority Board of Directors for their commitment to public service. These dedicated volunteers contribute countless hours, thoughtful leadership, and valuable expertise to help guide one of Arkansas’s most important economic development organizations.

Because of their vision and stewardship, the Port of Little Rock continues to attract investment, support more than 11,000 jobs, strengthen our transportation network, and create opportunities that will benefit Central Arkansas for generations to come.

07/13/2026

We had a great day on the course at the AGC Arkansas Mid-Year Golf Tournament! We always appreciate the opportunity to connect with our industry partners. Thanks to AGC Arkansas for hosting another great event!⛳️