What Upskill NWA does

Upskill NWA is a non-profit workforce development initiative launched in 2021 and operated by the Excellerate Foundation to address healthcare labor shortages in Northwest Arkansas. It recruits low-income adults aged 24 and older (household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income, residing in Benton, Madison, or Washington County) and places them into tuition-free training programs at partner institutions, covering the full cost of tuition, books, fees, and licensing exams while assigning each participant a dedicated Career Navigator. Graduates enter the regional healthcare workforce through placement pipelines at five named health systems (Washington Regional, Mercy NWA, MANA, Northwest Health, and Arkansas Children's Northwest) across credential tracks that include Registered Nurse (associate and BSN), Licensed Practical Nurse, Surgical Technologist, Respiratory Therapist, Radiologic Imaging Sciences, and Medical Laboratory Technician.

The program is built on the Project QUEST model, originally created in San Antonio in 1992, and is delivered through a multi-institutional educational partnership spanning Northwest Arkansas Community College, Northwest Technical Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, Crowder College, and John Brown University. Technology infrastructure is limited to the Hark NWA platform (app.harknwa.com), which handles applications and participant management; there is no proprietary AI or software product. As of the 2025-2026 program year, the initiative reports 420 active students and 157 graduates since launch, with an 88% graduation rate, 90% placement rate in NWA, an average $33,000 household income increase per graduate, and $14.2 million in regional economic impact.

Funding is philanthropic: Excellerate Foundation and the Walton Family Foundation co-committed $3 million for the initial three-year launch in 2021, with the Walton Family Foundation adding a $1.5 million follow-on grant in 2024. The core team is approximately six people (Executive Director Carol Silva Moralez, Director of Services Christina Walters, Director of Finance Hannah Standifer, Career Services Coordinator Danielle Schader, Career Navigator Brandie Wright, and Claudia Mendez), supplemented by the broader Excellerate Foundation infrastructure. Because Upskill NWA operates as an initiative rather than a standalone legal entity, its revenue model is grant-funded philanthropy rather than commercial pricing, with services provided at zero cost to participants as a condition of funder commitments.

Name

Upskill NWA

Legal name

Upskill NWA (powered by Excellerate Foundation)

Website

https://upskillnwa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Upskill NWA is a non-profit initiative of the Excellerate Foundation that provides tuition-free healthcare career training and Career Navigator support to low-income adult learners in Benton, Madison, and Washington Counties of Northwest Arkansas.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development and Healthcare Training Services

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Incumbent Worker Training & Upskilling (EDAAAOAE)

Keywords

• Workforce development
• Healthcare training
• Tuition-free education
• Career navigation
• Nursing pathways

Headquarters

HQ city

Rogers

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic/Grant Funding: Upskill NWA is funded through grants and charitable contributions from foundations including Excellerate Foundation, Walton Family Foundation ($3 million initial commitment for three-year rollout), and other community partners. The program is provided at no cost to participants, with all expenses covered by philanthropic funding.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Upskill NWA is a non-profit workforce development initiative that connects eligible Northwest Arkansas adults (24+, income ≤80% AMI, no prior college degree, residents of Benton/Madison/Washington County) to tuition-free healthcare career training. It covers tuition, books, fees, and licensing exam costs across multiple healthcare career pathways (Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, Surgical Technologist, Respiratory Therapy, Radiologic Imaging Sciences, Medical Laboratory Technician) delivered through partner colleges, and pairs each participant with a personalized Career Navigator for the duration of training and job placement.

Product overview

Upskill NWA is a workforce development initiative operated by Excellerate Foundation that provides tuition-free healthcare career training to eligible adults in Northwest Arkansas. The program operates as a unified service model combining financial support (covering tuition, books, fees, and licensing costs) with personalized career navigation services. Participants can choose from multiple healthcare career pathways including Registered Nurse (associate degree and bachelor's degree options), Licensed Practical Nurse, Respiratory Therapy, Radiologic Imaging Sciences, Surgical Technology, and Medical Laboratory Technician programs offered through partner institutions including Northwest Arkansas Community College, Northwest Technical Institute, Crowder College, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences-Northwest, and John Brown University. The program is based on the Project QUEST model that has been replicated across Texas and other states for nearly 30 years.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Upskill NWA Workforce Development Program The umbrella workforce development initiative connecting eligible Northwest Arkansas adults (24+, income ≤80% AMI, no prior college degree) to tuition-free healthcare career training across multiple pathways, with full coverage of tuition, books, fees, and licensing costs and a dedicated Career Navigator for each participant.
• Registered Nurse Program (NWACC) Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing delivered through Northwest Arkansas Community College, available at no cost to Upskill NWA participants.
• Licensed Practical Nurse Program (NWTI) Practical Nursing certification program delivered through Northwest Technical Institute, available at no cost to Upskill NWA participants.
• Licensed Practical Nurse Program (Crowder College) Practical Nursing certification program delivered through Crowder College, available at no cost to Upskill NWA participants.
• Registered Nurse Program (Crowder College) Associate of Science in Nursing delivered through Crowder College, available at no cost to Upskill NWA participants.
• Respiratory Therapy Program Associate of Applied Science Degree in Respiratory Therapy delivered through Northwest Arkansas Community College, available at no cost to Upskill NWA participants.
• Radiologic Imaging Sciences Program Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Imaging Sciences delivered through Northwest Arkansas Community College (prerequisites) and University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences–Northwest, available at no cost to Upskill NWA participants.
• Surgical Technology Program Surgical Technology certification program delivered through Crowder College, available at no cost to Upskill NWA participants. Listed as "coming soon" on the Upskill NWA homepage.
• Medical Laboratory Technician Program Associate of Applied Science Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology delivered through Northwest Arkansas Community College, available at no cost to Upskill NWA participants.
• Career Navigator Services Personalized case management and career guidance services assigned to each Upskill NWA participant throughout their training and into job placement.

Quantifiable outcome

• 88% graduate rate and 90% job placement rate placed in Northwest Arkansas
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Crowder CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 May 2025Educational partner providing Surgical Technology Program, Practical Nursing Program, and Registered Nurse (Associate of Science in Nursing) programs for Upskill NWA participants in the region.
• John Brown UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 March 2024Partnership to create referral and support system for underemployed adults wanting to earn a Bachelor's degree in nursing. Upskill NWA assigns career navigators and covers tuition, tutoring, textbooks and supplies. JBU assists with supportive services and identifies scholarships.
• Excellerate FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Excellerate Foundation is the parent organization and primary operator of Upskill NWA. For more than 20 years, Excellerate Foundation has invested more than $115 million into the Northwest Arkansas community. Excellerate Foundation is incubating and launching Upskill NWA for the future of the region's talent.
• Northwest Technical Institute (NWTI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner providing Practical Nursing Program (PN Program) for Upskill NWA participants. Located in Springdale, AR.
• Northwest Arkansas Community College (NWACC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner providing Nursing Program (Associate of Applied Science in Nursing), Respiratory Therapy Program, Radiologic Imaging Sciences Program, and Medical Laboratory Technician Program.
• University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest (UAMS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner providing Radiologic Imaging Sciences Program (Bachelor of Science) as part of the career pathway for Upskill NWA participants.
• Washington Regional Medical CentercoreOthersMajor healthcare employer partner providing clinical placement opportunities and employment pathways for Upskill NWA graduates.
• Mercy Hospital Northwest ArkansascoreOthersMajor healthcare employer partner providing clinical placement opportunities and employment pathways for Upskill NWA graduates.
• MANA - Medical Associates of Northwest ArkansascoreOthersHealthcare employer partner providing clinical placement opportunities and employment pathways for Upskill NWA graduates.
• Northwest HealthcoreOthersHealthcare employer partner providing clinical placement opportunities and employment pathways for Upskill NWA graduates.
• Arkansas Children's NorthwestcoreOthersHealthcare employer partner providing clinical placement opportunities and employment pathways for Upskill NWA graduates.
• Northwest Arkansas CouncilcoreOthersRegional civic organization partner supporting workforce development initiatives in Northwest Arkansas.
• Hark NWAcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology platform partner (app.harknwa.com) used for application processing and participant management for Upskill NWA.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Per Scholas: National nonprofit providing tuition-free tech training and career navigation to underserved adults. Shares the 'free training plus career navigation' structure with Upskill NWA but is IT-focused and tends to serve a younger demographic.
• Goodwill Industries International: Large established nonprofit operator offering workforce development and training programs (including in healthcare) for individuals with barriers to employment. Operates a much broader portfolio than Upskill NWA but shares the public mission.
• Year Up: Large national nonprofit workforce program combining skills training in IT/business with supports for young adults. Comparable nonprofit workforce mission and employer-paid model, though targeting a younger population (18-29) and different occupations.

Emerging players

• Apprenticeship Carolina: South Carolina-based intermediary that helps employers build apprenticeship programs across healthcare and skilled trades. Comparable focus on employer-aligned workforce pathways, but uses apprenticeship rather than tuition-assistance model.

Others

• National Skills Coalition: National policy and advocacy organization advancing skills training and workforce development for lower-income adults and workers. Not an operator like Upskill NWA but a critical ecosystem actor influencing funding and policy.

Direct peers

• Towards Employment: Cleveland-based nonprofit providing workforce training and placement for individuals with barriers to employment. Similar wraparound services, employer partnership orientation, and outcome-driven model to Upskill NWA.
• Project QUEST: San Antonio-based workforce development nonprofit founded in 1992 that is the explicit model for Upskill NWA. Both programs use sector-based training plus wraparound supports and career navigation to place lower-income adults into high-wage careers.
• Jewish Vocational Service (JVS): Nonprofit workforce development organization providing tuition-supported training and career navigation to adults facing barriers to employment. Comparable mission, wraparound services model, and population focus to Upskill NWA.
• Capital IDEA: Austin, TX workforce development nonprofit modeled on the same Project QUEST framework, serving low-income adults with tuition assistance and intensive case management. Highly comparable operating model to Upskill NWA, in different region/industry mix.

Regional players

• Northwest Arkansas Council: Regional civic/economic development organization in Northwest Arkansas that is a listed partner of Upskill NWA. Comparable geography and shared focus on regional workforce development, but with a much broader policy and infrastructure remit.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/upskillnwa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/upskillnwa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Upskill NWA