Training Grants

The Office of Skills Development (OSD) is a division of the Arkansas Department of Career Education offering grants to support workforce development by strategically investing in training programs that are prioritized by employer needs and economic impact. Businesses and non-profit entities are eligible to apply for training according to the OSD Grants Rules and Regulations.  Grants are available to support training that falls into the following categories:

• Grow Your Own – Available to organizations headquartered in Arkansas with 250 or fewer employees.
• Skills Gap – Addresses critical gaps in workforce skills having the most direct impact on skills and economic attainment, typically demanded by a regional or industry-wide need, not a single organization.
• Customized Technical – Typically associated with highly technical training that is specific to or customized for a certain industry, skill, or equipment.

Professional Development – Typically classroom training associated with soft skills or core academic skills, as would be applicable to a large set of employees.  Primary examples include those related to Microsoft Office products as well as Leadership Supervision, Conflict Resolution, and Safety.