Training center nears completion

The hard work which has gone into making the Northeast Arkansas Innovative Training Center (NEAITC) a reality is rapidly coming to fruition, as the Rector site prepares to begin offering classes during the first week of May.

Initial classes offered at the site will be Life Skills and Adult Education, with additional classes planned for the future.

The Life Skills Program will provide participants the opportunity to learn more about parenting, creating a budget and job readiness. It will teach basic life skills in an effort to strengthen persons financially and socially. The program's goals include providing education on the basics of how to obtain employment, support group sessions, education and support on parenting from infancy to teenagers, education and budget planning for the home, education and support for anyone on the Transitional Employment Assistance Program through the Department of Health and Human Services, education and support for repeat offenders through the court system and education and support for the general public or school system programs.

Life Skills classes are scheduled to last one month, most likely meeting three to four days per week. The program will be open to the entire community. Through a partnership with the DHHS, the program will be used to assist individuals who may require assistance in strengthening workforce skills. The program also is expected to work closely with the Clay County court system in an effort to identify other candidates who may benefit from the program.

Rector community development director Jacinda Welch, who has been spearheading the NEAITC project, is putting together a summer schedule for June which she hopes will include computer skills classes for adults.

"I'm hoping to get our computers set up next month so we can begin offering classes in June," Welch said. "That's really one of our next big steps. I want to have that ready as soon as possible. I think our computer classes are going to be something that's especially beneficial to a lot of people."

Another program coming to the NEAITC will be Kids College. Welch has been heavily involved with Kids College in Paragould in the past and now is bringing the popular event to Rector.

"I'm really excited about bringing it to Rector," Welch said.

The program brings together several kids from the region for a unique learning experience during their summer vacation.

During the week-long event, volunteers from local businesses and organizations visit with the children and give presentations about their jobs and duties, as well as general safety promotion. Each presenter finds a way to make their presentation a hands-on event which allows the children a greater level of interaction.

This in, turn, helps provide the students with a greater understanding of the job or task. Scheduled presentations include Chemistry Magic, Nascar simulation, Insect Informants, Elrod the Magician, Electrical Safety, Pet Safety and demonstrations from local emergency management teams.

"If one kid is sparked by something they see, it could lead to a career down the road," Welch said. "This gives the kids an idea of the possible careers that are out there."

The program will be held for children ages six through 11 from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 29 through July 2. Those interested are encouraged to complete and return application forms as soon as possible once they are handed out at school.

Persons or organizations interested in sponsoring the event may contact Welch at 870-595-2300.

The center's offerings are being made possible as a direct result of the amount of work which has gone into the site. Welch, Cyndi Corkran of the community development program and Mary Emerline, along with numerous volunteers, have put in countless hours remodeling the building into a hub for community growth and involvement. In addition to classrooms, the center aso will house various programs including an exercise area, aerobics classes, martial arts classes and the potential for many more.

In fact, most of the work is done on the site, with workers putting together the finishing touches. Welch said she plans to begin moving in furniture and exercise equipment this week in the hopes of opening May 4.

Welch pointed out the center's goal in providing benefits to the entire community as a whole.

"This is something we think will help with our community development," Welch said. "It will give the city of Rector something that will not only benefit its residents, but also offer an incentive to any potential businesses or industries that could potentially look be interested in locating here. We think it can only help Rector and northeast Arkansas as a whole."