25-02-2025
Walmart, Google aid development of Arkansas' skills-based job marketplace
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Tuesday announced the creation of Arkansas LAUNCH, a job and workforce training portal.
Why it matters: A public-private development between the state and Walmart, LAUNCH will focus on matching a job candidate's specific knowledge and abilities with open roles, rather than a degree or a job title.
Since 2021, Walmart has provided more than $4 million to the state to support skills-based hiring and to develop the LAUNCH platform, the company said.
The big picture: The investment comes amid a U.S. labor shortage fueled in part by the pandemic. Many employers, including Walmart, are dropping degree requirements from many jobs and instead prioritize specific abilities.
A recent report from the National Governors Association claims the practice reduces turnover and increases career opportunities.
Only about 75% of residents age 25 or older have a bachelor's degree.
How it works: Free to use, LAUNCH will generate targeted job recommendations based on a job-seeker's verified credentials, self-reported skills and publicly available information.
It also will suggest non-degree credentials and training to help the applicant expand career opportunities.
Employers also will benefit because they'll have targeted access to a pool of workers who have the specific skills they need.
Sanders also announced a tool available through LAUNCH called CiviForms designed to simplify applications for multiple government services, including job training.
CiviForms was developed pro bono by and is used in Seattle and Charlotte, North Carolina, but Arkansas is the first state to adopt it.
What she's saying: "Think of it kind of like LinkedIn, except it's fully integrated into all the services the state offers for our citizens," Sanders said at a news conference held in Benton.
"If you're laid off and file for unemployment benefits, you'll go to LAUNCH to find a new job. If you're a young person just starting out your career, you'll go to LAUNCH and find training opportunities."
Flashback: Earlier this month Sanders announced a higher education reform package called "Arkansas ACCESS" that would help Arkansans who want to further their education.
Related House and Senate bills were filled last week.
By the numbers: LAUNCH is already integrated into the state's unemployment system, Sanders said.
Nearly 6,000 jobs are posted on the site from more than 600 employers.
Overall, there were 15,400 job openings in NWA on Tuesday, according to Joe Rollins with the Northwest Arkansas Council.
74% of those don't require more than an associate's degree.
What we found: In a quick practice test by Axios using a fictional commercial driver, the system generated a personalized job board, returning 519 possible jobs and 50 career paths.
