WorkWired celebrates ‘Year of Wins’ for Independence County’s future workforce

WorkWired, an IMPACT Independence County initiative powered by the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, is marking a “Year of Wins” in its effort to ensure that every young person from birth through age 25 has sustainable access to a living-wage career in Independence County.

The initiative brings together schools, employers, and community organizations to move beyond one-off programs and build a coordinated system that supports students at every stage of development.

“WorkWired isn’t just a project — it’s how Independence County is wiring itself for living-wage futures,” said Crystal Johnson, president and CEO of the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce.

This year’s accomplishments include the launch of the WorkWired Workforce Explorer app and WorkWired.info, both designed to introduce students to local careers and living-wage pathways. The initiative also rolled out the SenseMaker Story Collector to gather firsthand accounts from students, educators, and employers, and created countywide scorecards to track progress in areas such as early childhood access, work-based learning, and living-wage employment.

Local schools and colleges have played a central role. High schools, the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville, and Lyon College have strengthened alignment across concurrent credit, career-center programs, and work-based learning.

“At UACCB, we see firsthand how aligned pathways change students’ lives,” said Brian Shonk, chancellor of UACCB. “Through WorkWired, we’re able to connect earlier with students, build seamless transitions and ensure more of our graduates are stepping into local, in-demand, living-wage careers.”

Kristi Price, executive director of institutional affairs at Lyon College, said the collaboration reflects the college’s commitment to innovation and workforce preparation, especially in high-demand fields.

“WorkWired helps students and families see that a four-year degree can be part of a clear, affordable pathway to meaningful work right here in Independence County,” Price said.

Local employers also report benefits.

“For Vital Link EMS, WorkWired has been a game changer,” said Kathy Lanier, CEO of Vital Link EMS. “Instead of constantly scrambling to fill critical positions, we’re now working with schools and colleges to grow the next generation of EMS professionals right here at home.”

Wiley Osborn, human resources manager at The Toro Co., said the community is “learning together, sharing data and designing pathways on purpose.”

WorkWired leaders say the “Year of Wins” signals a shift toward a future in which every young person in Independence County has a clear path to a sustainable career — and employers have a steady pipeline of homegrown talent to support economic growth.

WorkWired is an initiative of IMPACT Independence County focused on ensuring every young person has access to a living-wage career. The program partners with schools, employers and community service providers to expand education, training and work-experience opportunities. More information is available at WorkWired.info.

Image provided by the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce