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by Isley Gooden, Kaelin Clay, Scott Solomon
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Morillton, Ark. (KATV) — The Arkansas Asphalt Pavement Association is paving the way for aspiring trade professionals with a groundbreaking endowment scholarship at the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton (UACCM).
This initiative, named the Lori Harris Tudor Endowment Scholarship, marks the first of its kind for non-credit workforce programs in the state.
"We were really fortunate that the Arkansas Asphalt Association, along with Laurie Tudor, were able to start this for us," said a development official Lauren Bryan.
"This is a unique opportunity for our students, because we've never had any type of endowment for short-term training."
The scholarship targets individuals seeking specific skill sets without pursuing a degree or credits.
Programs include heavy equipment operations, underground directional drilling, and CDL training. These fields are essential, with a growing demand for skilled workers.
"In short-term training, there are a lot of programs that don't have any financial aid," said Bryan.
"Most financial aid opportunities are just for the credit side. So something that is unique, that's set just for the non-credit side is just not seen really."
The endowment, initiated with a $25,000 gift from Laurie Tudor and the Association, will begin awarding scholarships in a year after accruing interest.
However, UACCM offers other grants and opportunities for immediate training.
"Our programs are really growing," said Bryan.
"We're offering probably double what we were maybe last year, maybe more. But our classes are filling, and they're leaving us and going straight into the workforce."
For more information, interested individuals can visit here, or contact the Workforce Training Center at 501-977-2085.