Mission: Our mission is to create a local pipeline of highly skilled workers that will be competitive in the 21st century job market by preparing learners for careers in high-demand industries.

Vision: Our vision is to serve as a key workforce development partner, a community and regional training resource, and center for industry certified training in the tri-state area of Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

The challenge: A large portion of unskilled and low-skilled workers comprises our current local workforce with the highest educational attainment of a high school degree/GED or less, often trapped in low-paying jobs in the service industry.  This subset of the workforce is more likely to be unemployed or underemployed, working multiple jobs without benefits, and at the fringe or below the poverty level. Due to these and other socioeconomic disparities, the pathway to completion of a college education has narrowed and is largely non-existent for many of these individuals.  

Goal: Our goal is to create a local pipeline of highly skilled workers that will be competitive in the 21st century job market.  These workers will have the knowledge, skills, credentials and abilities to secure stable employment at a living wage leading to self-sufficiency, a higher standard of living for themselves and their families, and career growth in a high-demand industry.

What we do: Lab Four specializes in providing technical training using industry recognized curriculums that lead to industry certifications.   We focus on technical training within industries showing potential labor market growth.  Our training is a viable alternative to premature college entry for high school/GED prepared individuals and a source of re-training for displaced workers.

The benefits of collaboration:  Successful workforce development requires a more comprehensive approach that includes “soft skills” or personal leadership skills, “hard skills” or technical training, on-the-job training (OJT) and innovative strategies toward job placement.  Rarely, can one agency or organization alone provide quality, comprehensive workforce development services.  We collaborate with other organizations that excel in soft skills training and provide additional opportunities for OJT and job placement to ensure that our technical training is optimized for each client.

Our approach:  We believe that communities must be a part of the solution to challenges they face.  Therefore, we employ a community-based approach to workforce development.  We rely on collaborative relationships with community-based organizations and businesses committed to improving economic livelihood and prosperity within the community they serve.  Through collaborative relationships we employ a comprehensive workforce development model individualized to the needs of community members.  There are a number of ways to create innovative solutions that can benefit our clients, organizations and communities at large.  See our partners to find out more about our projects.

Benefits:  A strong workforce is an indicator of a healthy community in which people can find good jobs and create new economic opportunities.  Community leaders committed to achieving economic prosperity emerge through collaborative efforts, becoming positive role models and instilling hope in their communities.  The community shows signs of growth such as stable housing, lower crime and more assets and resources.  Vibrant communities benefit the well-being of all residents.