Arkansas Tech University‑Ozark announced Tuesday that its skilled‑trades center has grown by roughly 7,000 square feet, expanding the total footprint to more than 12,000 square feet. Chancellor Dr. Sheila Jacobs said the addition responds directly to booming enrollment and the clear need for more qualified workers in the state’s manufacturing and service sectors.
Enrollment jumps drive the need for space
Program chair Kenny Beeler, who leads the air‑conditioning and refrigeration curriculum, highlighted the dramatic increase in student numbers. “When I first started here, we had nine students. Now we have 56,” Beeler said. “We actually turned down several applicants this year because we couldn’t fit them in the classroom.”
The new classrooms and labs will give students more hands‑on experience with equipment that mirrors real‑world workplaces. Beeler explained that the expanded refrigeration area will feature a full‑scale rack system, arranged exactly like the commercial facilities graduates will join.
State support and industry partnership
The $2.75 million project was made possible through a HIRED grant from the state of Arkansas. Jacobs noted that industry partners have been vocal about the shortage of skilled welders, HVAC technicians and automotive mechanics. “Our class sizes have grown, our demand has grown, our concurrent credit partners have grown,” she said. “Our industry partners are saying we need more welders, we need more ACR, we need more automotive.”
State labor projections show employment for heating, air‑conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Arkansas is expected to rise 13 percent through 2034, underscoring the long‑term relevance of the program.
Looking ahead
Jacobs expressed confidence that the expanded facility will allow the program to double its output within a few years. “I really believe with the demand that we see, we know is out there, I think we can double in just a couple of years’ time,” she said.
Students graduating from ATU‑Ozark will leave with practical, job‑ready skills. “We’re preparing students to go to work. We have hands‑on practical, you know, we call it live shops where the students are getting that experience in the real world,” Jacobs added.
The expansion not only meets immediate enrollment pressures but also positions Arkansas Tech University‑Ozark as a regional hub for vocational training, supporting families and local businesses that rely on a steady pipeline of skilled tradespeople.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
