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The city of Crossett has received an honorable mention in the Arkansas Business Trendsetter City 2025 awards in the Education/Workforce Development category for its workforce development initiatives with the University of Arkansas at Monticello through the UAM Sustainable Trades Alliance (UAM-STA).

Arkansas Business cited UAM-STA as a key driver of industry-focused training that supports the manufacturing and forestry sectors, which are vital to the economy of southeast Arkansas. The award highlights Crossett’s investment in workforce development through innovative programming housed at the UAM College of Technology–Crossett (UAM-CTC).

Launched in December 2024 with $2 million in funding from the Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE) through its Higher Industry Readiness through Educational Development (HIRED) grant funding, UAM-STA is a collaborative initiative involving multiple UAM entities and nearly 45 industry partners, each contributing to the forestry supply chain. The Arkansas Center for Forest Business, housed in the College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources (CFANR) at UAM, collaborates closely with alliance partners to develop training for forest product mill and logging workforce needs as part of the project.

The UAM-STA office is housed at UAM-CTC. Programs of study supported by the alliance deliver training in forestry automation and industrial maintenance and are available at UAM, UAM-CTC and the UAM College of Technology-McGehee (UAM-CTM).

Dr. Tracy Tucker, vice chancellor of UAM-CTC, noted that UAM-STA has created new opportunities for collaboration, stating, “We are thrilled to receive recognition for the efforts of so many individuals, industry partners and community members in creating a more educated, more qualified and more diverse workforce in southeast Arkansas. UAM-STA gave us the opportunity to build upon our natural resources in southeast Arkansas and led to opportunities for us to collaborate across all three UAM campuses to advance this initiative in ways not possible before. We are proud of this project and look forward to seeing big rewards for southeast Arkansas in the near future.”

UAM-STA provides hands-on, flexible training for students and incumbent workers through advanced simulators and computer-based instruction. Arkansas Business reports, “Students will use Caterpillar-branded heavy equipment simulators, giving them hands-on experience with modern heavy machinery.” As a result, trainees gain industry-recognized skills that lead to high-wage employment and improved workforce readiness throughout the region, contributing to a stronger local economy.

“The program addresses urgent workforce needs in forestry and manufacturing,” said Austin Hammons, project director for UAM-STA. “UAM-STA staff are responding to industry demands for front-line leadership training as a new generation enters the workforce. UAM-STA will soon launch a professional skills course, ‘Fundamentals of Crew Leadership,’ where participants can earn a National Center for Construction Education and Research-recognized credential. In addition, HIRED-funded training simulators will upskill workers in heavy equipment, forestry and HVAC/R. UAM-STA continually seeks opportunities to expand training offerings to meet evolving industry needs.”

UAM-STA representatives currently tour southeast Arkansas, working with communities to recruit potential and current employees and train them in the industrial skills needed to advance their career opportunities.

Whitney Farmer, education specialist and recruiter for UAM-STA, stated that the program’s school and community outreach sets UAM-STA apart. “I visit area middle and high schools through college and career fairs, classroom visits and lunch outreach to build awareness of forestry, manufacturing and related career paths,” she said. “At the high school level, I promote UAM programs across all three campuses, and we’re also distributing ‘Forestry Works’ books to elementary schools. Beyond the classroom, we’re working with area chambers of commerce and economic development centers to plan a community career fair in June 2026, focused on forestry and manufacturing, with opportunities for other industries to participate, geared toward individuals seeking employment or a career change.”

Crossett’s Arkansas Business Trendsetter City 2025 honorable mention recognition highlights the city’s and southeast Arkansas’ ongoing efforts to build a skilled workforce and foster economic growth. Through sustained partnerships and innovative training programs such as UAM-STA, these initiatives are helping shape a brighter future for the region’s industries and residents.

For more information about UAM-STA, contact Austin Hammons at hammons@uamont.edu or 870-460-2031 or Whitney Farmer at farmerw@uamont.edu or 870-460-2031.