Date of Award
1-16-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Educational Leadership, Ed.D.
First Advisor
Timberly Baker
Committee Members
Ella Benson; Les Wyatt
Call Number
LD 251 .A566d 2024 P85
Abstract
This qualitative case study explored stakeholders' perceptions in Baxter County, Arkansas, regarding workforce development initiatives at Mountain Home High School Career Academies and Arkansas State University-Mountain Home. The purpose was to understand if these initiatives met local employers' needs and contributed to creating a skilled and educated labor force, thereby enhancing the area's economic vitality. The study, guided by the Chaos Theory of Careers and the Pathways System Framework, included 15 in-person interviews with representatives from secondary and post-secondary education, business leaders, and workforce development professionals. Participants, selected through purposeful sampling, were asked five identical open-ended questions to understand the connection between current initiatives and the labor force. The study also reviewed secondary data sources for population and curricula data and observations of meetings related to career and technical education and required skills for high school graduation. Findings revealed participants' general need for more awareness about current workforce development initiatives. Knowledge of career pathways and career academies was minimal, although there was a consensus on the necessity of soft and technical skills for employment. Recommendations focused on enhancing communication, aligning educational programs with industry needs, and advancing human capital development, advocating for a comprehensive action plan to communicate these programs effectively to stakeholders. This plan is aimed at uniting the community around shared goals, cultivating a skilled workforce that propels economic progress in Baxter County, Arkansas. Keywords: workforce development, economic development, career pathways, career academy
Rights Management
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Pugsley, Danielle K., "Workforce Development Initiatives to Improve the Labor Force in Rural Communities: A Case Study" (2025). Student Theses and Dissertations. 1043.
https://arch.astate.edu/all-etd/1043
