Benton, Arkansas – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has officially launched Arkansas LAUNCH, a groundbreaking platform aimed at connecting job seekers with the opportunities they need and helping employers find the skilled workforce they require. The initiative, which is completely free to use, is set to have a significant impact on the state’s workforce, providing a streamlined, skills-based approach to employment and career growth.
“Arkansas LAUNCH will connect employers and job seekers, helping grow our workforce and empower Arkansans to get off the sidelines and into the job market,” said Governor Sanders. She emphasized that the platform doesn’t just link individuals with jobs that match their existing skills, but also offers pathways for upskilling, enabling workers to advance and thrive in their careers.
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The platform’s design is centered around skills matching, ensuring that job seekers are paired with positions suited to their qualifications, and employers are able to quickly find candidates who meet their needs. As Arkansas’ Chief Workforce Officer, Mike Rogers, explained, LAUNCH is all about unlocking visibility of employment by matching the right skills to the right career opportunities. “Anyone looking for the right sized occupation and training to increase capability, can find it on LAUNCH,” Rogers said. The system allows employers to invite qualified candidates directly to apply for positions, making the hiring process more efficient and precise.
The Arkansas workforce initiative is made even more significant by the involvement of Walmart, one of the state’s biggest employers. Walmart employs over 57,000 people in Arkansas and has long been a champion of skills-based training. “For the past decade, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have been investing in a skills-first approach that creates more opportunities for workers, helps businesses fill talent needs, and improves the economy,” said Julie Gehrki, President of Walmart Foundation and Senior Vice President of Walmart. Gehrki voiced her excitement about the platform’s potential impact on Arkansans, noting that LAUNCH is among the most comprehensive approaches to workforce development they’ve seen. Walmart’s backing adds immense credibility to the program, aligning the retail giant’s commitment to fostering growth with the needs of the local workforce.
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LAUNCH offers an array of tools for users to explore career paths based on their skills and gain access to the training necessary to improve their qualifications. Job seekers can easily search for available opportunities, browse through career exploration videos featuring local Arkansas employers, and discover options that match their skillsets. Since the platform’s launch, it has already made a significant impact. More than 11,000 unique users have visited the site, clicking on over 34,000 job postings. Currently, there are more than 5,700 available positions from 634 employers across the state.
The platform also includes a powerful feature called CiviForm, an open-source tool that simplifies the application process for multiple government services. CiviForm, developed with pro bono support from Google.org Fellows, enables users to sign up for services like workforce development and training quickly and easily from any device. This tool is designed to remove barriers and streamline access to vital services that can help job seekers improve their skills and increase their employability. “Technology can be a powerful equalizer in connecting people with opportunity,” said Dan Peterson, Director of Product Management at Google.org. He expressed pride in supporting Arkansas LAUNCH, highlighting how collaborations between the public and private sectors can lead to innovative solutions that benefit everyone.
Arkansas LAUNCH was also made possible through funding from Walmart, which helped support RIPL (Research Improving People’s Lives), the nonprofit development team responsible for building the platform. RIPL’s mission is to improve public services through data and technology, and their work on LAUNCH reflects that goal. By combining innovative technology with workforce development, LAUNCH seeks to offer a transformative solution for both job seekers and employers across the state.
Randy Zook, President and CEO of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and the Associated Industries of Arkansas, shared his enthusiasm for the project. “LAUNCH will help employers find the talent they need and employees find the opportunities they want,” Zook said. He believes that the platform will unlock the economic potential of Arkansans and contribute to the state’s continued growth.
With a powerful combination of technology, skills-based job matching, and partnerships with key players like Walmart and Google.org, Arkansas LAUNCH is poised to reshape the job market in the state. Whether you’re a job seeker looking for your next opportunity or an employer searching for skilled workers, the platform offers a wealth of resources and a seamless user experience.
The impact of Arkansas LAUNCH is clear: it’s not just about connecting people with jobs, but also about helping them build better futures through upskilling and career advancement. As the platform continues to grow, it is expected to play a vital role in strengthening the state’s economy and ensuring that Arkansans have access to the tools and opportunities they need to succeed.
For more information and to get started, visit launch.arkansas.gov.
