Workforce Development
CREST
CREST (Career Readiness Education & Skills Training Center) is a workforce development initiative at Arkansas State University focused on preparing job-ready talent through industry-aligned education and skills training. The center supports high-demand sectors such as advanced manufacturing, steel manufacturing, and food processing, strengthening the regional workforce and supporting long-term economic growth in Northeast Arkansas.
The CREST Center is affiliated with the Delta Center for Economic Development through its shared mission of advancing workforce readiness, employer partnerships, and economic development across the Arkansas Delta.
Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions
The Delta Center for Economic Development has a strong partnership with Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions (AMS), a division of the Arkansas Department of Commerce, to provide consulting and training solutions to Arkansas’ industries through a sub-recipient agreement. The AMS team supports manufacturers by providing hands-on business and technical assistance in growth and innovation, operational excellence, leadership development, six sigma, environmental health and safety, and information technology.