Connect with us

Technology

UA – Pulaski Tech Launches Online Energy Management Program to Address Arkansas Workforce Needs

Published

1 year ago

on

In partnership with iDesign, Arkansas community college takes aim at energy and tech workforce shortages with new online degree and certificate programs designed to prepare students for high-demand careers. 

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., March 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College (UA-PTC), a two-year comprehensive community college based in North Little Rock with a vision to “foster innovation in advanced technologies and contribute to economic and civic development of communities,” today announced plans to launch a state-of-the-art energy grid management training program aimed at closing critical workforce gaps in high-demand industries such as energy grid management.

“Arkansas is at a pivotal moment. As industries evolve and grow, we must ensure our workforce is prepared to meet the demands of tomorrow,” said Dr. Summer DeProw, Chancellor of UA-PTC. “Through this partnership with iDesign, UA – Pulaski Tech is creating opportunities for Arkansans to gain the skills and credentials they need to thrive in advanced energy and technology fields while driving economic growth for our state.”

To help meet the complex demands of Arkansas’ fast-growing economy, the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board is working toward an ambitious goal to increase the number of residents with postsecondary credentials or degrees to 55% by 2030. The state currently faces a significant skills gap in key technology and energy sectors as states work to keep up with the power and IT infrastructure needed to support demand for artificial intelligence. 

To address this gap, UA-PTC’s new training program will launch a series of new online training courses, industry certifications, and continuing education opportunities tailored to meet the needs of employers in the rapidly evolving energy grid and technology industry. UA-PTC has partnered with major employers such as Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Entergy, Southwest Power Pool, and Midcontent Independent System Operator to ensure the program prepares grid operators for the realities of the modern energy grid workforce.  

The curriculum focuses on critical areas such as complex energy systems, grid management, and cybersecurity—rooted in curriculum aligned with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) certification and Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards and combining hands-on training, cutting-edge technology, and industry-aligned certifications to equip students with the skills needed to succeed in high-demand, high-wage careers. 

To build the online program, UA-PTC selected Texas-based course developer iDesign, which has worked with hundreds of institutions to design, build and support award-winning online courses. The program utilizes iDesign’s Align platform, an AI-assisted curriculum and skills mapping tool that streamlines the development of workforce-aligned programs. With flexible online and hybrid course options, the program will be accessible to working adults and non-traditional students statewide, ensuring broader participation across the state. 

“Arkansas is setting a bold example for how state leaders and colleges can develop curriculum and programming that is responsive to the needs of this fast-changing, technology-driven labor market,” said Whitney Kilgore, co-founder and CAO of iDesign. “This is about bridging the divide between talent and opportunity and preparing Arkansans to succeed in the kind of high-demand jobs and industries that will drive the new American economy.” 

UA – Pulaski Tech serves more than 6,000 students annually and is a key player in Arkansas’s higher education and workforce development. The college, known for its strong focus on supporting adult and non-traditional learners, was awarded $2 million workforce grant through the HIRED program Track 2 announced by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Department of Commerce Secretary Hugh McDonald, and Chief Workforce Officer Mike Rogers in December 2024. University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College provides access to high-quality education that promotes student learning and enables individuals to develop to their fullest potential. For more information on Pulaski Tech’s energy management program, visit www.uaptc.edu.

About iDesign: iDesign partners with colleges and universities to build, grow, and support online and blended programs. Committed to empowering faculty, iDesign combines instructional design expertise with emerging technologies to create innovative courses and degrees. Through its unbundled, fee-for-service model and analytics platform, iDesign enables institutions to deliver high-quality education that meets the evolving needs of students. To learn more, please visit www.idesignedu.org.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ua—pulaski-tech-launches-online-energy-management-program-to-address-arkansas-workforce-needs-302391834.html

SOURCE idesignedu.org

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

Hexagon Interim Report 1 January – 31 March 2026

Published

17 minutes ago

on

April 23, 2026

By

STOCKHOLM, April 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ —

First quarter 2026

Continuing operations

Operating net sales of 963.8 (961.5) resulting in organic growth of 8%Net sales including acquired deferred revenue amounted to 963.6 MEUR (961.5)Adjusted gross earnings of 606.3 (619.1) resulting in a 62.9% (64.4) gross marginAdjusted operating earnings (EBIT1) of 251.3 MEUR (248.7) resulting in a 26.1% (25.9) EBIT1 marginAdjusted earnings per share of 6.7 Euro cent (6.5)Earnings per share of 58.4 Euro cent (5.0)Cash conversion of 77% (60)Recurring revenue of 289.9 MEUR (308.0), 6% organic growthOctave reported operating net sales of 327.2 MEUR (361.3) and adjusted operating margin of 25.2% (26.6)Adjusted earnings per share including discontinued operations of 9.1 (9.4)Earnings per share including discontinued operations of 59.9 Euro cent (7.0)

For further information, please contact:
Tom Hull, Head of Investor Relations, +44 (0) 7442 678 437, ir@hexagon.com
Anton Heikenström, Investor Relations Manager, +46 8 601 26 26, ir@hexagon.com

This is information that Hexagon AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 08:00 CET on 23 April 2026.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/hexagon/r/hexagon-interim-report-1-january—31-march-2026,c4338783

The following files are available for download:

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hexagon-interim-report-1-january—31-march-2026-302751432.html

SOURCE Hexagon

Continue Reading

Technology

Dragonpass Empowers Financial Institutions with End-to-End Loyalty Solutions at Money20/20 Asia

Published

17 minutes ago

on

April 23, 2026

By

BANGKOK, April 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Dragonpass, a leading global travel and lifestyle platform, participated in Money20/20 Asia, showcasing its customer loyalty solutions for banks, payment providers, credit card issuers, and fintech companies across APAC and globally.

As one of the most influential fintech events worldwide, Money20/20 Asia gathers decision-makers across the financial ecosystem. At the event, Dragonpass demonstrated how financial institutions can enhance customer engagement and build long-term loyalty through integrated travel and lifestyle experiences.

Established in 2005, Dragonpass has evolved from a lounge provider into a loyalty solutions partner, serving more than 800 global clients and over 40 million members worldwide.

At the core of Dragonpass is a business structure that combines global supply aggregation, a technology-enabled engagement platform, and consumer-facing lifestyle services — providing a one-stop solution across the customer lifecycle.

Leveraging data-driven insights, Dragonpass enables partners to design and optimise loyalty programs, incorporating customer segmentation and tiered incentive structures, alongside curated campaigns and entitlement configuration — driving more effective customer activation, engagement, and retention.

Its offering includes a broad portfolio of travel and lifestyle benefits such as airport lounge access, fast-track, dining, airport transfers, and lifestyle experiences. These are supported by flexible delivery models, including API integration, white-label solutions, and ready-to-deploy digital platforms, enabling seamless integration into clients’ customer journeys.

As customer expectations evolve, the industry is shifting from standardized benefits to more personalized, experience-led loyalty models. Insights from Dragonpass’s Loyalty Index show that customers increasingly value trust, rewards, simplicity, recognition, and exclusivity, with preferences varying across markets.

“Financial institutions today are looking for more effective ways to engage customers beyond traditional rewards,” said Jane Zhu, Co-founder and CEO of Dragonpass. “User engagement is at the core of loyalty, and technology — especially AI — plays a key role in enabling deeper and more relevant customer connections.”

Dragonpass works with leading global brands including Mastercard, Visa, HSBC, and Revolut, supporting them deliver differentiated value propositions and enhance customer engagement through scalable, customizable solutions.

Through its participation at Money20/20 Asia, Dragonpass aims to strengthen its presence in the APAC market and build strategic partnerships with organizations seeking to elevate their customer engagement strategies.

About Dragonpass

Dragonpass is a global travel and lifestyle platform providing premium airport and travel experiences across 140+ countries. By integrating global supply and technology, Dragonpass enables partners to deliver seamless, personalized experiences and drive customer loyalty.

Media Contact

Dragonpass PR
Email: brandmarketing@dragonpass.com
Website: www.dragonpass.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/dragonpass-empowers-financial-institutions-with-end-to-end-loyalty-solutions-at-money2020-asia-302751442.html

SOURCE Dragonpass

Continue Reading

Technology

SBI Life Insurance registers New Business Premium of ₹42,551 crores for the year ended on 31st March, 2026

Published

17 minutes ago

on

April 23, 2026

By

MUMBAI, India, April 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SBI Life Insurance, one of the leading life insurers in the country registered a New Business Premium of ₹42,551 crores for the year ended on 31st March, 2026 vis-a-vis ₹35,577 crores for the year ended 31st March, 2025. Single premium has increased by 28% over the year ended on 31st March, 2025.

Establishing a clear focus on protection, SBI Life’s protection new business premium stood at ₹4,622 crores for the year ended 31st March, 2026, marking a growth of 13%. Protection Individual new business premium registered a growth of 23% and stood at ₹973 crores for the year ended 31st March, 2026. Individual New Business Premium stands at ₹29,783 crores with 13% growth over the year ended on 31st March, 2025.

SBI Life’s profit after tax stands at ₹2,470 crores for the year ended 31st March, 2026 with a growth of 2% over the year ended on 31st March, 2025.

The company’s solvency ratio continues to remain robust at 1.90 as on 31st March, 2026 as against the regulatory requirement of 1.50.

SBI Life’s AUM also continued to grow at 9% to ₹4,87,163 crores as on 31st March, 2026 from ₹4,48,039 crores as on 31st March, 2025, with the debt-equity mix of 62:38. 94% of the debt investments are in AAA and Sovereign instruments.

The company has a diversified distribution network of 3,58,506 trained insurance professionals and wide presence with 1,230 offices across the country, comprising of strong bancassurance channel, agency channel and others comprising of corporate agents, brokers, Point of Sale Persons (POS), insurance marketing firms, web aggregators and direct business.

Performance for the year ended March 31, 2026

Private Market leadership in Individual New Business Premium and Individual Rated Premium with market share of 25.5% & 22.9% respectively.Annualized Premium Equivalent (APE) stands at ₹ 24,266 crores with growth of 13%Individual New Business Sum Assured stands at ₹ 4,46,337 crores with 61% growthImprovement in 13M & 49M persistency by 53 bps & 107 bps respectivelyValue of New Business (VoNB) stands at ₹ 6,667 crores with growth of 12%VoNB Margin stands at 27.5%Indian Embedded value (IEV) stands at ₹ 80,791 crores with 15% growthProfit After Tax (PAT) stands at ₹ 2,470 crores with 2% growthOperating Return on Embedded Value stands at 19.7% Assets under Management stands at ₹ 4,87,163 crores with 9% growthRobust Solvency ratio of 1.90

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2672544/SBI_Life_25_Years_Logo.jpg

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/sbi-life-insurance-registers-new-business-premium-of-42-551-crores-for-the-year-ended-on-31st-march-2026–302751447.html

Continue Reading

Trending