The AlabamaWorks 2017 Workforce Conference, which was postponed last month due to Hurricane Irma, has been rescheduled for Feb. 14-15 at the Renaissance Hotel and Conference Center in downtown Montgomery.

The conference’s purpose is to bring all the stakeholders together annually. It will focus on five main areas:

• Leveraging and Establishing Partnerships (including a special emphasis on partnerships identified in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act).
• Delivering Career Services (including motivating clients, intake procedures, providing quality assessment, integrated case management, etc.).
• Business and Economic Development (including strategies around regional business partnerships, business engagement and measuring performance of services).
• Managing Changes (including WIOA, the new workforce structure).
• Priority Population (including effective strategies for serving individuals with disabilities, individuals with limited English proficiency, homeless, veterans and ex-offenders).

For more information on the conference, click here.

Apprenticeship Alabama, working in partnership with the state’s Regional Workforce Councils, continues to sign up companies for the state’s registered apprenticeship program. Apprenticeship Alabama is also working with the regional councils to present information to employers about what the program offers.

Today, Oct. 24, Apprenticeship Alabama partnered with West AlabamaWorks to present an Apprenticeship West Alabama Information Session. The session was held at the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama’s office in Tuscaloosa.

For more information about Apprenticeship Alabama, visit its website at www.apprenticeshipalabama.org.

Alabama’s unemployment rate continued its downward march in September, matching a historical low. September’s seasonally adjusted rate measured 3.8 percent, down from August’s rate of 4.2 percent and well below September 2016’s rate of 6 percent. The last time Alabama’s unemployment rate was this low was in April 2007, when it also measured 3.8 percent, the lowest rate in recorded history.

“We’ve been working extremely hard over the past six months to bring Alabama’s unemployment rate down, and today’s news shows that our efforts are paying off,” Gov. Kay Ivey said in a statement last week. “This is truly a historic day, as we announce that Alabama’s unemployment rate is the lowest it has ever been. When it comes to job creation, we are doing the right thing and momentum is on our side in Alabama. But, we won’t let up and we will continue recruiting new businesses and encouraging existing firms to expand. We can’t and won’t slow down just because we’ve reached this milestone.”

According to Alabama Department of Labor statistics, 2,068,594 people were employed in September, compared to 2,057,360 in August and 2,045,762 in September 2016.

“Nearly 23,000 more people are working now than last year, and the number of unemployed is down by almost 50,000. Those numbers represent real workers, with real families, and indicate real progress in our economy,” said Alabama Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington. “Alabama’s employers continue to add jobs, supporting more than 2,011,000 positions this month, beating yearly job growth projections by 28,400 only nine months into the year. We remain hopeful that this wonderful progress continues throughout the rest of the year.

“All 67 counties experienced drops in their unemployment rates, both over the year and over the month, and for the first time in a decade no county has a rate in the double digits,” said Washington.

For the second consecutive month, Alabama’s unemployment came in under the national unemployment rate, which measured 4.2 percent in September.

Read AL.com’s story about the historic law unemployment rate.

The Alabama Career Center System, in partnership with WSFA 12 News and the City of Montgomery, will host a regional job fair on Wednesday, Nov. 1, at the Cramton Bowl Multiplex in Montgomery. The job fair will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

More than 80 employers are scheduled to attend, including: BBT Bank, Baptist Health, Coca-Cola, Madix, Neptune Technology Group, Schneider Trucking, Jackson Hospital, and more. A full listing of employers and the available jobs can be accessed at the following website. More than 3,200 available jobs are represented.

The job fair is free and open to the public. There is still available space for employers. Job seekers and employers are encouraged to pre-register online at www.labor.alabama.gov/jobfair. Pre-registering will allow for faster entry, and participants are strongly encouraged to print their confirmation and bring it with them to the job fair or to save their confirmation e-mail on their phones.

“We began our regional job fair initiative in Montgomery, and now we’re hosting our third job fair in the River Region,” said Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington. “We continue to attract more and more employers, and all of them have available jobs to fill – it’s one of our requirements to participate. This is a great opportunity for anyone looking for a job or looking for a change in career.”

“We are proud to once again partner with the Department of Labor and WSFA 12 News for another job fair. Montgomery and the River Region are enjoying tremendous economic success. Matching qualified job seekers with dynamic employers is crucial for our continued progress.” said Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange.

Applicants should come to the job fair with their multiple copies of their résumés, be prepared to interview, and should be dressed professionally. Interview space will be provided.

A Job Readiness Workshop will be held on Monday, Oct. 30, at the Montgomery Career Center, located at 1060 East South Blvd., to prepare job seekers by providing training in interview skills, résumé assistance and more. Seating is limited and registration is required. Register by calling 334-286-1746 extension 257.

The Alabama Career Center System’s mobile career center along with staff from the Montgomery Career Center will be onsite at the job fair to assist jobseekers in applying for jobs.

The Cramton Bowl Multiplex is at 1215 Madison Ave., Montgomery.

Alabama’s SkillsUSA Officers Team met in September with U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, in Washington D.C. Rogers, from Calhoun County, represents Alabama’s 3rd District in the U.S. Congress.

The SkillsUSA students advocated for the state’s education programs, career technical education, workforce development and Perkins’ Funding.

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure a skilled workforce. It seeks to improve the quality of America’s skilled workforce through a structured program of citizenship, leadership, employability, and technical and professional skills training. Annually, SkillsUSA serves more than 335,000 students and instructors nationwide.

On behalf of the Alabama Workforce Council, IDEAS has been working with the Alabama State Department of Education to create the AlabamaWorks Career SUCCESS Guides. The guides will help students in Alabama learn more about high-demand careers and salary ranges, the steps students need to take to reach their career goals and the resources available to help them get there.

There are 16 guides, one for each career cluster. Each guide also features six short bios of Alabamians who volunteered to share their story and path to their current work role right here in our great state. An interactive version of the guides will be available soon. But later this week, printable versions of the guides can be found at alabamaworks.com/successguides.

Gov. Kay Ivey proclaimed Oct. 6 as Manufacturing Day in Alabama. However, events celebrating Manufacturing Day continued for weeks.

Manufacturing Day is an annual celebration created to motivate young people to learn about manufacturing. Manufacturing Day addresses common misperceptions about manufacturing by giving manufacturers an opportunity to open their doors and show, in a coordinated effort, what manufacturing is — and what it isn’t. By working together during and after Manufacturing Day, manufacturers address the skilled labor shortage they face, connect with future generations, address the public image of manufacturing and stride to ensure the ongoing prosperity of the whole industry.

This year, there were 49 events registered in Alabama. These events include open houses, plant tours, career expos and other activities. These events were made possible by the many hosts across the state, including manufacturers, community colleges, middle and high schools, chambers of commerce and others.

To learn more about Manufacturing Day, please visit www.mfgday.com.

Gov. Kay Ivey spoke at the Southern Automotive Conference and announced that the Alabama Community College System, through a partnership with the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC), will offer nationally-recognized and industry-led credentials at every college this spring. This rollout makes Alabama the first state in the nation to offer the MSSC credentials statewide.

The MSSC is an industry-led and federally recognized training, assessment and certification system focused on the skills and knowledge needed by today’s manufacturing workforce. Through a partnership with the Alabama Community College System and MSSC, Alabama students will now have the ability to be certified as a Certified Production Technician or Certified Logistics Technician through the completion of approved coursework and training.

“Manufacturing is more technology-driven than ever before, and we’re excited to partner with MSSC to ensure that Alabama students are receiving the certifications and training they need to fill the high-tech, high-demand manufacturing jobs of the future,” Alabama Community College System Chancellor Jimmy Baker said. “The Alabama Community College System is constantly seeking out new opportunities for Alabama students to create a better future, whether it’s transferring to a four-year institution, training for a career, or learning basic literacy and workforce skills. Our partnership with MSSC provides yet another pathway for our students to succeed.”

For additional information on the MSSC credentials, visit www.almssc.com.

In celebration of Manufacturing Day 2017, Jefferson State Community College’s Manufacturing Technology Center, in partnership with the Alabama Technology Network, hosted local high school sophomores, juniors and seniors on Oct. 13 for “Hard Hats and High Heels,” a special program to help build awareness of careers in manufacturing and change perceptions women may have about today’s manufacturing environment.

During the event, students:

• Heard from a panel of women with experience in manufacturing.
• Received hands-on demonstrations of equipment used in manufacturing.
• Met manufacturers seeking skilled workers.
• Learned how to get started in manufacturing-related classes.

“Our goal is to draw attention to the outstanding opportunities that a career in manufacturing can provide, especially for women,” said Jefferson State’s Manufacturing and Technology Interim Director Mike Carter. “The average age of a manufacturing employee is 56, and between now and 2020 there will be an unprecedented shortage of skilled professionals who can design, program and operate technology.”

Forty-three girls from the following Birmingham area high schools attended the activities:

• Fairfield High Preparatory School (Fairfield City Schools)
• Gardendale High School (Jefferson County Schools)
• Huffman High School (Birmingham City Schools)
• Pinson Valley High School (Jefferson County Schools)
• Tarrant High School (Tarrant City Schools)
• Shades Valley High School (Jefferson County Schools)

Click the image below to watch a WBRC/Fox 6 story about “Hard Hats and High Heels.”

Central Six AlabamaWorks recently introduced Kristen O’Keefe as the new industry cluster coordinator for Alabama Regional Workforce Council Region 4. As industry cluster coordinator, O’Keefe will work to develop long-term relationships with business and industry throughout the region to help address industry-specific workforce needs. Her responsibilities include creating and managing industry sector partnerships important to the region’s economy, including advanced manufacturing, healthcare, construction, information technology and finance and insurance.

Prior to joining Central Six, O’Keefe worked as the regional initiatives coordinator for Coastal Alabama Partnership, a nonprofit organization focused on facilitating efforts to improve the economic vitality and quality of life in Mobile and Baldwin counties. At CAP, O’Keefe worked alongside local, state and federal leadership to identify issues of concern to Alabama’s coastal counties and assisted in developing creative and effective ways to address these issues.

O’Keefe can be contacted at kokeefe@centralsix.org.

At its Sept. 19 Quarterly Workforce Summit, East AlabamaWorks recognized outgoing Chair Steve Hildebrant of Alabama Power Co. for his dedication and commitment to workforce development in Region 2.

Outgoing East AlabamaWorks Chair Steve Hildebrant and Director Lisa Morales.

Honda Manufacturing of Alabama recently hosted nearly 200 students from area high schools to expose them to the variety of opportunities in automotive manufacturing. Students experienced workforce activities, took a tour of the plant to see how a manufacturing company really looks, participated in an employability skill game and heard information on the careers and opportunities at Honda.

Also recently, the Alabama Technology Network in Gadsden hosted about 50 people from local businesses for a day of complementary training to draw attention to manufacturing and the economic impact it has in east Alabama. Classes included:

• Leadership/Team Building
• Root Cause Analysis
• Seven New Quality Tools
• NDFPA-70E Electrical Safety in the Workplace

Fountain previously owned and operated a consulting firm in Tallahassee, Fla., and has worked in both the public and private sector. She worked in the Wiregrass office of public affairs for U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions for two years, covering a 27-county territory. She also worked with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for three years.

Approximately 175 business, industry, education and government representatives were on hand Oct. 4 for North AlabamaWorks’ recent quarterly meeting. The meeting was held at ADTRAN in Huntsville.

Business, industry, education and government representatives view a presentation at North AlabamaWorks’ Quarterly Meeting.

Greene County and West AlabamaWorks are hosting an AIDT Mobile Training Unit at Greene County High School/Greene County Career Center, at 14223 U.S. Highway 11 South in Eutaw. The mobile unit will be available to the community for three months for Ready-to-Work job preparation classes, resume building, GED classes, computer classes and CNA certification. A kick-off event was held Oct. 17 at the high school.

Area employers are looking to hire individuals who have successfully completed the Ready-to-Work curriculum, which demonstrates individuals have mastered essential soft skills for workplace success and have a skill level desirable to business and industry, according to Donny Jones, chief operating officer for the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama and director of West AlabamaWorks. “Ready to Work programs are part of our efforts in connecting residents with high-demand employment opportunities and training that will revitalize local communities” Jones said. “Not only will this assist people in becoming more employable, this project will enable us to fill workforce needs in rapidly advancing sectors.”

To pre-register, call 205-372-9974. Commitment to attend classes is required of participants.

A Hillcrest Middle Schooler dips for minnows at West AlabamaWorks’ Worlds Of Work, held at Shelton State Community College’s Martin campus. The two-day event attracted more than 4,000 eighth-graders. WOW exposes kids to careers that don’t require a four-year degree. 

Central AlabamaWorks hosted its Career Discovery event in September at Southern Union State Community College in Opelika. More than 4,000 students from the surrounding area attended the event, which highlighted 11 industry clusters.

A student gets a hands-on look at the medical field at Central AlabamaWorks’ Career Discovery.

The first Governor’s Disability Job Fair will be held on Oct. 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bill Harris Arena in Birmingham. The job fair is being made possible by a joint partnership between United Ability and several state agencies, including the Department of Labor, Department of Mental Health, Department of Rehabilitation Services and the Governor’s Office on Disability.

According to a 2015 American Community Survey, 14.9 percent of Alabamians living with a disability — 21,283 individuals — are unemployed.

For more information, click the flyer below.

• Alabama Unemployment Rate Matches All-Time Low. Tuscaloosa News
• Mercedes to Launch Electric Vehicle Production in $1 Billion Alabama Project. Made in Alabama
• EDPA Uses Mercedes Megaphone to Shout the Story of Alabama Worldwide. Alabama News Center
• Mercedes-Benz’s “Crazy” Idea Revived Alabama. Automotive News
• UAB Boosts Alabama Economy With $7.15 Billion Impact, Supporting Nearly 65,000 Jobs. Alabama News Center
• Area Development Ranks Alabama Among Top Business-Friendly States. Made in Alabama
• Delta Regional Authority to Invest Over $1 Milliion to Strengthen Alabama’s Economy and  Infrastructure. Alabama News Network
• Nigeria to Detroit to Alabama: An Auto Emigre’s Tale. Detroit News
• Study: For-Profits Blamed For Many Student Debt Defaults. WKRG-TV, Mobile
• Alabama Community Colleges to Offer Manufacturing Credentials. Made in Alabama
• Alabama’s Auto Players: Future Is About Flexibility. AL.com
• Alabama Universities Plug Into Industry With Auto Research Projects. Made in Alabama
• Alabama First in Nation With Statewide Automotive Industry Credential Course. WSFA-TV, Montgomery 
• Alabama Helps Form Southern Automotive Manufacturers Alliance. AL.com
• Job Training Programs Fuel Growth of Alabama Auto Industry. Alabama News Center

• Unemployment Down in State and Northwest Alabama. Decatur Daily
• Groundbreaking Ceremony Launches Construction of New Automotive Technology Building for Calhoun Community College in Decatur. Calhoun.edu
• Toyota Announces $106 Million Reinvestment in Huntsville Engine Plant. News Courier, Athens
• Aerojet Rocketdyne to Bring 700 Jobs to Huntsville, Make $27 Million Investment. AL.com
• Calhoun to Host Manufacturing Event Tuesday. News Courier, Athens
• Construction of Automotive Technology Building Begins. Decatur Daily
• More Than 570 Jobs Available at Job Fair. Times-Daily, Florence
• Educators, Industries Exchange Workforce Training Ideas Through Program. Times-Daily, Florence
• Toyota Alabama Welcomes Madison City Students to Plant, Inspire Options After Graduation. WHNT-TV, Huntsville
• Companies and Schools Exchange Ideas Through Program. Times-Daily, Florence
• Partnership Aims to Help Community Colleges Produce Skilled Workers. Cullman Times

• Jobless Rate Drops in Calhoun County as Fewer People Look for Work. Anniston Star
• Gadsden City Council Approves Sales Tax Hike. Gadsden Times
• Koch Foods to Build $40 Million Feed Mill in Roanoke. Randolph Leader, Roanoke
• New Flyer Unveils Innovation Center in Anniston. Anniston Star

• Mobile Classroom Will Offer Job Training in Greene County. ABC 33/40, Birmingham
• Worlds of Work Career Expo Expands Its Focus. Tuscaloosa News
• University of Alabama Creates Auto, Aerospace Industry Accelerator. AL.com
• Shelton State Community College and Alabama Postsecondary Schools Partner to Increase Dual Enrollment Opportunities. Demopolis Times
• Free Construction Apprentice Course Offered in Tuscaloosa. WBRC/Fox 6, Birmingham

• Birmingham Launches Campaign for Amazon’s Second Corporate Headquarters. AL.com
• You Have to Do the Work to Get a Job. Daily Mountain Eagle, Jasper
• Collaboration Between Economic Development Council, Schools, Employers Key to St. Clair County’s Low Jobless Rate. Anniston Star
• Amazon, Take Note: Birmingham Ranks No. 1 in Filling Engineering Jobs. Alabama News Center
• Central Six AlabamaWorks! Helps Local Education Meet Industry Needs. Clanton Advertiser
• Coke Consolidation: Birmingham-Based Company Takes Over Mobile Coca-Cola Operations, Among Other Gains. AL.com
• Z Modular Selects Alabama for Innovative Production Facility. Made in Alabama
• Partnership to Benefit Area Nursing Students. Daily Mountain Eagle, Jasper
• Wallace State Community College to Offer Logistics Short-Term Training as Barry May of Alabama Community College System Visits Campus. Wallace State.edu

• Tuskegee Pitches Hard for Italian Aircraft Plant. Business Alabama
• OUR VIEW: Local Industry Recruitment Is a True Success Story. Alexander City Outlook
• Southern Union: Credentials “Another Tool in the Tool Chest.” Opelika-Auburn News
• International Paper to Invest $300 Million in Dallas County Mill. Made in Alabama

• State and Dothan Area Jobless Rates Plummet. Dothan Eagle
• Southeast Alabama Works Aims to Bolster Region’s Workforce. Greenville Advocate
• A Vision of Purpose: New Alabama Career Center Provides A Model of Partnership. Yellowhammer News
• Enterprise High School Seniors Meet With Local Businesses During Two-Day Event. DothanFirst.com
• Manufacturing Jobs Booming in Dothan Area. Dothan Eagle
• Lockheed Martin to Bring 50 New Jobs to Troy Area. Troy Messenger
• Lockheed Opens New $2 Million Training Facility. Troy Messenger
• Golden Peanut Co. Opens New Warehouse in Headland. Dothan Eagle
• Twenty-Four Students Enrolled on Local Campus of Aviation College. Andalusia Star-News
• Andalusia High School Ahead of the Technology Game. Andalusia Star-News

SAWDC AlabamaWorks Director Laura Chandler is interviewed by Mobile TV stations during the SAWDC Worlds Of Opportunity career exploration. WOO was held Sept. 20-21 at the Mobile Convention Center. 

• Airbus to Add Bombardier C-Series Jet Production Line in Alabama. Alabama News Center
• SSAB to Move U.S. Headquarters to Alabama, Creating 60 Jobs. Made in Alabama