Press Releases

Today, Congressman French Hill (AR-02) and Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence (MI-14) traveled throughout the Second Congressional District to promote jobs and opportunities in the skilled trades, stopping at Arkansas State University at Beebe’s John Deere Agriculture Technology program, the Be Pro Be Proud Initiative through the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce at Maverick Transportation, and Dassault Falcon Jet.

Lawrence created the Skilled Workforce Caucus last year, and Hill has served as Co-Chair since its inception. A major byproduct of the caucus has been the Skilled Workforce Initiative, where members travel to each other’s districts to not only discuss jobs and training, but also to get hands on experience with skilled workforce jobs.

“In central Arkansas, and in a lot of places throughout the country, we desperately want job growth. As a legislator I am always thinking about policy areas to help spur economic growth, but the work of our caucus provides another avenue for making a difference,” said Hill. “Sometimes just engaging with communities, educators, and students on a regular basis can be the most effective tool for creating job growth.”

Lawrence’s visit to Arkansas was part of the Skilled Workforce Initiative, and was the second time the two members have traveled together to promote skilled workforce training and jobs. Last October, Hill visited Detroit for a similar trip.

“I was pleased to join Congressman French Hill in Arkansas for the Skilled Workforce Initiative. This has been an amazing opportunity and I am proud of the investment these companies are making here in our country. In America, we must embrace and support industry as it is the heartbeat of our economy,” said Lawrence.  “It is important that we introduce opportunities within the workforce to our children at an early age. We must continue to educate, nurture and embrace the development of skillsets that lead to jobs.”

The two met with educators at ASU-Beebe’s John Deere Ag Tech program this morning, before visiting Maverick Transportation and Dassault Falcon Jet in the afternoon. At Maverick Transportation, through the Be Pro Be Proud Initiative, Hill and Lawrence received hands-on training with welding and truck driving simulators.

“In our state we are very fortunate to have some of the best training facilities and job opportunities for skilled trades in the entire country; the John Deer Ag Tech program at ASU Beebe, the simulators at Maverick Transportation, and the aspirational careers at companies like Dassault provide a remarkable snapshot into the positive economic impact skilled trades can have,” said Hill.