STUTTGART — More than 200 students from 12 schools across the Grand Prairie and Arkansas Delta explored interactive career opportunities at Be Pro Be Proud’s Draft Day, held recently at the Grand Prairie Center in Stuttgart.
Draft Day is an innovative workforce development event designed to match regional employers with graduating seniors for real interviews while providing career and technical exploration in the Career Expo for underclassmen.
“Draft Day has been a powerful way for students from the Arkansas Delta and Grand Prairie areas to take the next step toward high-wage, high-demand careers,” said Andrew Parker, executive director of Be Pro Be Proud.
“This region is built on industries from agriculture to manufacturing, and local employers have been eager to connect with the next generation of talent. By engaging directly with hiring companies, students gain the knowledge and confidence needed to shape their futures and strengthen Arkansas’ workforce.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Now in its fourth year, Draft Day is working to build tomorrow’s skilled workforce by matching local employers and students for interviews for real jobs.
There are nine draft day events taking place across Arkansas this spring, working alongside the career awareness efforts conducted through the Be Pro Be Proud Mobile Workshop Tour.
The presenting sponsor of Draft Day in Stuttgart is Riceland, with additional partners Grand Prairie Center and Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce. Around the state, Draft Day is sponsored by the Arkansas State Chamber; Arkansas Department of Commerce; Office of Skills Development; and Arkansas Department of Education. For more information about Be Pro Be Proud’s 2025 Draft Day series, visit https://ar.beprobeproud.org/.
