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Division of Workforce Connections

Home » Agencies » Department of Commerce » Division of Workforce Connections
Hours: Monday - Friday 8AM-4PM
Address: Two Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-682-2121
Toll-free: 1-844-908-2178

About

Department of Commerce

Division of Workforce Connections

The Division of Workforce Services (ADWS) is a division of the Department of Commerce. The agency was created as the Arkansas Employment Security Division by Act 391 of 1941 to administer the Employment Security Law. Originally, the primary responsibilities of the Division were to administer Arkansas’ Unemployment Insurance and Employment Services programs.


Today, in addition to Unemployment Insurance and Employment Services, ADWS is responsible for administration and oversight of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, employment and training services for adults, dislocated workers and youth, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Labor Market Information, the Dislocated Worker Taskforce, Trade Adjustment Assistance, Work Opportunity Tax Credits, the Arkansas New Hire Registry, and Arkansas Career Readiness Certificates. With the Transformation and Efficiencies Act 2019, ADWS became home to the former Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, Division of Services for the Blind, and Adult Education Services.


There are currently 26 ADWS local offices known as “Arkansas Workforce Centers.” Workforce Centers are strategically located across the state and are designed to provide increased access to an integrated array of programs and services so that workers, job seekers, and businesses can find the services they need under one roof. Some employment services include job search assistance, job referrals, placement assistance, and recruitment services to employers with job openings. ADWS also provides the state’s free, public, online job site, Arkansas Job Link (AJL). AJL is a virtual one-stop-shop where Arkansans can centralize all their career search activities and employers can find qualified candidates, post jobs, share upcoming hiring events, and more.


As a state agency, ADWS measures success by its ability to effectively serve the Arkansas workforce. It is not a business that thrives on expansion or profit, so its budget size and staffing levels are set to best meet the needs of its customers and the requirements of stakeholders. ADWS is unique from other Arkansas state agencies in that it is mostly federally funded. The Arkansas Legislature appropriates the funds and has the authority to pass legislation affecting agency programs and services on a state level.




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