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Through Meta's $500,000 gift, the Mobile Workshop will make 10 stops across Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin. The effort began this week in Coppell with the debut of Be Pro Be Proud Texas, the third statewide initiative launched with leadership support from Meta, following successful statewide programs in Tennessee and New Mexico.

Together, Meta and Be Pro Be Proud have introduced nearly 70,000 students to technical workforce opportunities since 2023. The nationwide initiative builds on that momentum, expanding access to additional regions across the country, with fall stop locations and event details to be announced in the coming weeks.

"As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, there's no better gift than the opportunity to reach even more students," said Andrew Parker, executive director of Be Pro Be Proud. "We're incredibly grateful to Meta for helping us connect more young people with rewarding career pathways that can have a lasting impact on their lives, families and communities. Every student deserves the chance to explore these professions and see what's possible for their future."

The partnership is part of Meta’s broader investment in workforce development, including the recently launched America’s Workforce Academy, which expands access to training and career opportunities in high-demand skilled trade professions. Be Pro Be Proud supports that effort by introducing students to these careers early and helping them understand the education and training pathways available to pursue them.

"America's AI future depends on the electricians, welders and heavy equipment operators who build the infrastructure behind it," said Tara Tenorio, community engagement manager at Meta. "As Meta invests in the data centers that power AI and digital connectivity, the need for a highly skilled workforce continues to grow. Our partnership with Be Pro Be Proud helps young people see these careers as a path to a stable, in-demand future and gives our communities the workforce to build what’s next."

The Be Pro Be Proud Mobile Workshop features immersive simulators that allow participants to explore more than 16 high-demand occupations across construction, manufacturing, transportation and utilities. Each stop is tailored to regional workforce needs and brings together students, families, educators and industry partners to raise awareness of local career pathways.

To learn more about Be Pro Be Proud, visit beprobeproud.org.

About Be Pro Be Proud
Be Pro Be Proud, Inc. is a nonprofit workforce development initiative originated by the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas (AIA) that successfully connects students across the country to high-tech, high-paying technical careers. Through partnerships with state agencies, local industry and higher education entities, Be Pro Be Proud is effectively working to replenish the professional workforce that has been experiencing a drastic decline. The initiative was launched in Arkansas in 2016 and has since licensed efforts in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas.

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