Five on Friday, April 6

It’s been a rainy Friday here at the AEDC office in Little Rock. Here’s a quick roundup of what we’ve been reading and discussing this week.

1. Arkansas Startup Tips: Understanding Real Estate Needs 
Innovate Arkansas
“Inspired entrepreneurs and motivated startups need to do some research when it comes to having a brick and mortar location for their business.”

2. Walton Family Foundation official sees ‘great opportunity’ in developing on-street cycling infrastructure 
Talk Business & Politics
“The number of cyclists and pedestrians using the trail system over the past two years has increased to levels that continue to rival areas like San Francisco and San Diego County, when compared on a per capita basis.”
 
3. The “New” Career and Technical Education
Impact Batesville
“In the past, CTE focused on students entering entry-level jobs; today’s CTE offers graduates the ability to earn family-sustainable wages.”

4. States Increasingly Look to Apprentices to Bolster Their Workforce 
Government Technology
“Even though it’s an entry-level position, it pays about $24 an hour -- more than he was making before -- and sets him on a path to earn close to $70,000 a year as a software engineer for the government.”

5. Real women share their best advice on life and work, including how to choose a job, wasting less time, and getting clear on what really matters 
Business Insider
“Build relationships across your organization.”

Bonus listen:

ACTI pre-apprenticeship training with special guests Gwyna Bond and Jonathan Bigg 
VR Workforce Studio
“… we have found that this has been a really good avenue for our students to get some hands-on skills, but also get that direct feedback from business and industry partners that not only have jobs and careers here in the state of Arkansas, but are also tied to national corporations across the United States.”