Who Are We
Shaping the Next Generation of Tradespeople
Building Arkansas’s Future, One Skilled Trade at a Time
Training That Builds Careers
Learning a trade opens doors to real opportunities. Hands-on training and guidance help you gain the skills you need to succeed. Whether you’re starting your first career or making a change, the path to building a future starts here.
Commitment to hands-on learning
Mentorship
Statewide workforce development
Your Story
From the Ground Up
Everyone’s path into the trades looks different. Some are finishing high school and unsure what comes next. Others are ready to switch careers but don’t know where to begin.
ACEF meets you where you are, offering hands-on training, practical experience, and guidance every step of the way. Since 1994, thousands of people have gained the skills and confidence to build careers they’re proud of. Learning a trade is more than just getting a job. It’s about opening doors to a future you control.
What We Stand For
Our Mission and Values
Building a career is easier when you have a foundation of support. Our mission is to strengthen Arkansas’s workforce by training skilled professionals who are ready for real opportunities. Students and career changers can feel confident knowing they are learning from programs built on integrity, excellence, opportunity, and community. Training with ACEF connects you to a network designed to help you succeed.
Integrity
Building trust through quality education.
Excellence
Setting high standards in every program.
Opportunity
Creating pathways for every student to succeed.
Community
Partnering with industry leaders to grow together.
Our Team
Experts Who Care
Learning from people who have been on the jobsite makes a difference. Instructors and mentors bring real-world experience into the classroom, showing you how to apply skills in practical situations. They’re invested in your success and provide guidance every step of the way. Training here is supported by people who want to see you succeed in a career that lasts.
Zach Sloan
Executive Director
zach@myacef.org
Dawn Roby
Administrative Assistant
dawn@myacef.org
Donnie King
Financial Manager, Director of Workforce Development
donnie@myacef.org
Hannah Gordon
Director of Communications
hannah@myacef.org
Laura Wood
Administrative Manager
laura@myacef.org
Shannon Freirer
Program Coordinator, Director of Safety and Training shannon@myacef.org
Partnership with AGC Arkansas
Continuing a Legacy of Safety
In 2017, the Arkansas Construction Education Foundation (ACEF) entered into a formal partnership with the Associated General Contractors of Arkansas (AGC Arkansas), a statewide trade association representing the commercial construction industry.
AGC Arkansas serves its members through advocacy, education, and industry leadership on issues impacting construction in Arkansas. ACEF complements that work by serving as a workforce development partner, designing and delivering pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship programs that help contractors recruit, train, and retain a skilled workforce.
Through this partnership, ACEF works closely with AGC Arkansas leadership and member companies to align training programs with industry standards, safety expectations, and workforce needs. AGC Arkansas supports ACEF by helping facilitate employer engagement, industry input, and connections that strengthen program development and expand access to training opportunities across the state.
Together, ACEF and AGC Arkansas share a common goal of supporting Arkansas’s construction industry by developing a skilled workforce, strengthening career pathways, and creating long-term opportunities for both employers and individuals entering the trades.
Join Our Mission
Be Part of Arkansas’s Workforce Future
Whether you’re starting a new career, looking to advance your skills, or helping build the next generation of workers, there’s a place for you here. Take the first step and become part of a workforce that’s shaping Arkansas.