As we prepare young people for the future, a good education is critical. But, in 2026, a good education can mean a lot more than taking the right math classes or learning a foreign language. More and more school districts in The Natural State are investing in efforts to not just educate students’ minds but also give them real-life skills that open doors to meaningful careers. 

I’ve been fortunate to visit several of these efforts throughout Arkansas, including recently with a firsthand look at the Lonoke Business Academy. This innovative program combines the resources of the Lonoke School District with Arkansas State University-Beebe, Baptist Health, local businesses and the Arkansas Office of Skills Development. While in high school, students can pursue pathways to college, post-secondary training and direct workforce entry with programs in industrial technology, diesel technology, agriculture, aquaculture and healthcare.

One of the partners in this effort is Greenway Equipment, a John Deere company. Through a two-year training program, teenagers can learn to diagnose and repair agricultural equipment, earning industry-recognized certifications and full-time job opportunities right out of high school. 

The same is true of the health professions. Classrooms and labs dedicated to instruction in everything from biology basics to beginning medical skills are available for young adults in Lonoke County. The program even offers concurrent classes at other facilities where students can become a CNA or even an LPN before they graduate.

As you can imagine, initiatives like these provide a tremendous benefit to the students, their families and the local industries that want to hire them for good-paying jobs. At the heart of these efforts is helping young people build stable careers that allow them to support themselves, raise families and contribute to their communities. 

One of the points that stuck with me during the tour was that this environment gives students a chance to “try before they buy.” Many people are hesitant to invest in trade school or higher education in a career field they’ve never been exposed to. But here, students can work with a welder, learn to start an IV or try out basic tractor repair free from certain pressures that limit flexibility. Whatever path they pursue, these skills build confidence and open doors, even if they choose a different career.

The other critical piece of this program’s success is it is tailored to the needs of the region. These skills relate to real jobs, right in central and eastern Arkansas. These students learn that they don’t have to leave their hometown to have a fulfilling career. It was interesting to compare the Lonoke program to Fort Smith, where the school district’s Peak Center was a model for Lonoke. Although some of the programs overlap, Peak features different professions unique to the job opportunities in the western part of the state, such as advanced manufacturing. 

I am grateful for these efforts by educators, industries and community leaders across Arkansas who continue to look for ways to raise up young people and meet the needs of their region. Our students are smart, talented and looking for 21st Century opportunities. That’s why Congress also included a provision in the Working Families Tax Cuts expanding eligibility for Pell Grants to students in skilled labor training programs.

We must continue finding ways to equip them with the tools and experiences they need to succeed in the workforce, ensuring their ability to provide for themselves and their families.