Spotlight on Apprenticeship: Gov. Kay Ivey
Apprenticeships are a valuable tool for growing much-needed workforce talent pipelines. Business owners have the opportunity to train and educate their future teams, while receiving tax credits. The apprentice gets paid, on-the-job training, a free education and a permanent position after successfully completing the requirements. It’s a win-win situation.
Governor Ivey recognizes the value of apprenticeship, and she has taken the next step in increasing their formation by establishing the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship. The Alabama Community College System will serve as the state apprenticeship intermediary and will provide coursework for the academic component of apprenticeship and technical assistance for the on-the-job training component.
Under the AOA, the state will create a federally recognized state apprenticeship credential, equal to that of the U.S. Dept. of Labor’s. The AOA will support both industry-based apprenticeships and traditional Registered Apprenticeships.
The AOA will have the capability to certify independent apprenticeship programs as eligible training providers, which will allow many participants to utilize Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act federal funding for training. Registered Apprenticeships already use WIOA dollars and realize state incentives.
In addition, the Apprenticeship Alabama Tax Credit was recently expanded to provide a $500 additional tax credit for hiring in-school youth apprentices, and the base tax credit for all apprentices will increase to $1,250 from $1,000. The cap on the number of apprentices an employer may claim against the credit was increased from five to 10.
Educators Learn About Local Industries During Southeast AlabamaWorks’ Educator Academy
Earlier this month, dozens of teachers, principals and other educators graduated from Southeast AlabamaWorks’ first-ever Educators’ Academy.
To learn more about the graduation and program, watch the video
AIDT Earns 15th Straight ISO Certification
For the 15th consecutive year, AIDT has earned an ISO 9001 certification that provides proven, successful approaches to achieving customer satisfaction and management goals.
Read more here.
Community Turns Out for Grill and Chill at the State’s Newest Career Center
The newest career center, located on the Gilbertown campus of Coastal Alabama Community College, recently held a Grill and Chill event to acquaint the community with its services, while offering attendees mouth-watering food straight from the grill.
“There was a void in providing the services the ADL has to offer,” said Fitzgerald Washington, secretary, Alabama Department of Labor. “Coastal Alabama Community College allowed us to have a presence here, which is great. This event is aimed at raising awareness of what we have to offer.”
Click WTOK to read more.
Photo: Sherry DeLoach, Alabama Dept. of Commerce regional workforce liaison; Meredith Smith, education/projects manager, APTV; Fitzgerald Washington, secretary, ADL; and Cindy Kirk, VP of education services, APTV, pose for the camera before enjoying their food.
State Breaks Records in Employment Surge
Record numbers of people are in the labor force and working, along with a record high job count and a record low unemployment rate, according to May 2019 economic data.
“Since day one, my administration has sought the best ways to make our state business-friendly for small businesses and attractive to world-class industry. It is certainly paying off because in May, each of Alabama’s 67 counties saw their unemployment rates drop,” Gov. Ivey said. “Alabama is breaking record after record! I am proud of the footing we are making; however, we will not tire our efforts. It remains our goal to ensure every Alabamian who wants a job can get a job.”
Learn more by clicking the following articles below:
FROM THE REGIONS
Region Launches First Career Coach Collective
In an effort to increase communications and share best practices, North AlabamaWorks launched its Career Coach Collective for high school career coaches from around the region. The inaugural meeting was held at AIDT’s Robotics Technology Park.
NAW Project Manager Johnita Romine and Assistant Director Stephanie McCulloch also discussed free resources available to the group.
NAW plans to hold more CCC meetings this year.
Headlines
- Toyota Donates Engines to Shoals Schools. Times Daily
- NACC Receives Truck Donation from Noble, Begins CDL Program. Sand Mountain Reporter
- Cherokee High School Senior Graduates with Highest Test Score in State, Earns Scholarship to the Alabama Fire College. WHNT News
- Mercedes-Benz Co-Op Program Application Open to All Wallace State Automotive Service Technology Students. Cullman Times
- Signing Day at NWSCC Sees 19 Students Enter Tech Program. NWSCC
- Future Mazda Toyota Plants to Bear NASA-Inspired Names in Honor of Huntsville’s Space Exploration History. Made in Alabama
Educator Workforce Academy Tours Nucor Steel
The Educator Workforce Academy toured Nucor Steel for its final session of the year-long training program. Nucor Steel Controller Reed Norris discussed Nucor’s values and processes before the educators toured the plant. Education and Policy Adviser and Coordinator for the Governor’s Office Nick Moore updated educators on the governor’s plans for education, her Strong Start, Strong Finish campaign and Success Plus.
You can view coverage of this event here.
WOW Sponsorships Are Now Available
Oour business can impact West Alabama’s future workforce by being a sponsor of the next Worlds of Work.
The deadline for WOW sponsorships has been extended to June 28. Reserve your spot here.
Headlines
- Shelton State Offers Workforce Training Courses. WBRC
Headlines
- Birmingham Promise Initiative Wins Exclusive Grant for Workforce Development Within City Schools. Birmingham Business Journal
- AABE Birmingham Chapter Awards Scholarships to Five Students in Technical Fields. Alabama NewsCenter
- Jefferson State Receives Grant to Expand Welding Program. Birmingham Business Journal
Headlines
- Gov. Ivey Awards Grants for Medical Service Jobs. MyRiverRegion
Headlines
- Local Schools Agree to Historic Partnership. Sand Mountain Reporter
Headlines
- Course Aims to Attract Logging Personnel. The Greenville Advocate
- Gov. Ivey Awards Grant, Abbeville to Gain More Than 100 Jobs. WTVY
- Wallace Student Balances Motherhood and Adversity in Earning Nursing Practical. Dothan Eagle
- Troy University and ACOM Sign Agreement to Give Troy Graduates Priority to Osteopathic School. Troy Today
Headlines
- Milestone: Freed Graduates Four Years After Being Shot. Fox 10
Statewide Headlines
- Alabama Literacy Act Aims to Require Third-Grade Reading Level in Students. AL.com
- State Gets Golden Shovel Award for Economic Development. AL.com
- Gov. Ivey Signs Bills to Promote Internet, Business in Rural Alabama.Alabama Political Reporter
- Opinion: Workforce Development and Broadband Expansion Bills Are Legislature’s Smartest Moves. APR
- Manufacture Alabama Awards Scholarships. Manufacture Alabama
- Making Correctional Education Work for Alabama. YellowHammer
- Pre-Kindergarten Classes to Expand by 164 in Alabama. AL.com
National Headlines
- Perkins V Amendment to Promote Cooperation Between CTE Programs and Workforce Education Systems. Career Tech
- The Many Career Paths for Pipe Welders. The Fabricator
