Gov. Kay Ivey to Establish Two-Pronged Alabama Careers Pathway Model
Alabama’s unemployment rate is at a record-setting low. The number of people in the workforce is at a record-setting high. This is great for our economy, but it can present problems for those who are either under-skilled for open jobs and also dilemmas for employers seeking to fill those positions.
In response to this, the Governors Office of Workforce and Education Transformation is establishing the two-pronged Alabama Career Pathways Model to help close the gap between unskilled potential employees and the jobs that are available.
The first prong targets in-school youth with industry-recognized or registered apprenticeship opportunities. These apprenticeships will allow the participant to earn an associate degree and a stackable credential at the time of high school graduation.
The second prong targets adults who are either disconnected from the workforce or who are under-skilled. Programs will be offered to help them gain training and employment through credentials mapped to an associate degree.
These approaches, combined with other efforts, will help our state reach the Success Plus goal of adding 500,000+ credentialed individuals to Alabama’s workforce by 2025.
To learn about this and other initiatives, click here.
Laney Selected to Lead Apprenticeship
Alabama has picked a director of its efforts to produce more skilled employees.
Josh Laney has been named as director of the newly established Alabama Office of Apprenticeship.
Laney, who previously served as senior director of workforce development for the Alabama Department of Education, will head the office created earlier this year by a bill sponsored by State Sen. Arthur Orr. His job duties include working with industry and education to develop and expand traditional and industry-recognized apprenticeships for youth and adults.
Read more in AL.com.
Alabama Sets Four Unemployment Records
Alabama set four unemployment records in July, announced Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington. July’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 3.3%, setting a new record low, beating last month’s previous record low of 3.5%. July’s rate represents 2,171,721 employed people, a new record high, measuring 11,244 more than last month’s count, and 57,413 more than in July 2018.
Read more here.
Corbin Hired as AlabamaWorks! PR Specialist
AIDT has hired Jill Corbin as its first AlabamaWorks public relations specialist.
“With multiple streams of information AlabamaWorks is charged with communicating, it became a necessity that we focus on having one voice behind the messaging,” said Ed Castile, deputy secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce.
Read more at AIDT.
Tuck Chosen as Rural Development Manager/span>
Brenda Tuck has been named as the first rural development manager for the Alabama Department of Commerce. In this position, she will help rural communities and counties compete for job-creating projects. Tuck previously served in Commerce’s Workforce Development Division as a Regional Workforce Council Liaison, working closely with councils, employers and educators to ensure that the workforce needs of businesses were being met at the local level. Before joining Commerce in 2016, she served in economic development positions in Marengo, Dallas and Wilcox counties.
“Brenda has extensive experience working on the front lines of economic development in rural Alabama counties, so she knows the specific challenges these areas face when it comes to competing for projects,” said Sec. Greg Canfield, Alabama Department of Commerce.
Read more about Tuck’s appointment here.
FROM THE REGIONS
ACTE Conference Promotes Collaboration Between Educators and Business Leaders
During the recent Alabama Career and Technical Education Conference, work-based learning coordinators and business and industry leaders were urged to work together to help meet Gov. Ivey’s Success Plus goal of adding 500,000+ highly-skilled individuals to the workforce by 2025. Speakers encouraged the use of internships and apprenticeships as ways to provide entry for students into high-wage, high-demand careers.
Headlines
- Lockheed Martin Offering Free Apprenticeship Programs in North Alabama. WAAY 31
- NASA Chooses Huntsville for Next Mission. Alabama Daily News
- Madison County Schools Superintendent Excited to Begin New Role as President of Cyber Magnet School in Huntsville. Rocket City Now
- Huntsville Recently Named Fourth Best in the Nation for Career Opportunities. Yellowhammer
- Auto Supplier Selects Alabama for New Location. Yellowhammer
Headlines
- Stakeholders Gather to Discuss Upcoming Federally-Funded Workforce Plans. Gadsden Times
- Gadsden State Signs Its First FAME Class. Gadsden Times
YouScience Data Reveals Tuscaloosa Students’ Job Aptitude and Interests
Representatives from YouScience and the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama/West Alabama Works unveiled data from a new talent pipeline report showcasing Tuscaloosa high school students’ aptitudes for careers in health care, information technology, construction, manufacturing and distribution logistics.
Read more here.
Headlines
- Groups Share Thoughts About CTE. Tuscaloosa News
Headlines
- Cleggett Speaks to Chamber Members. Shelby County Reporter
- Coca-Cola’s “Pay It Forward” Program Gives Internships, Opportunities to Eight HBCU Students from Alabama. Birmingham Times
- Dunn Building Company to Expand into Columbiana. Shelby County Reporter
- AT&T’s #BelieveBirmingham Initiative Aims to Connect City Youth with Education and Skills for Future Work. Yellowhammer
Teachers on Tour Event Focuses on Schools’ Role in Workforce Needs
Chambers County Development Authority recently hosted its inaugural Teachers on Tour event. Area middle and high school teachers from Lanett City and Chambers County heard from speakers regarding teacher knowledge of workforce needs. More than 150 teachers attended the event. Participating companies included Ajin, USA, EAMC Lanier, Westrock and Knauf Insulation.
Headlines
- Hyundai SUV Sales Reach All-time High, with Santa Fe Leading Retail Gains. AL.com
- Unique Best Buy at Wallace State Community College Selma Gives Teens Hands-on Experience with Technology. Alabama News Network
- AU Deploys X-ray Technology in Manufacturing. ADN
Headlines
- Organizations Form Alliance Against Unemployment in the Wiregrass. WTVY
- Fort Rucker Area Job Fair Held at Enterprise State Community College. WDHN
- Dothan Technology Center to Upgrade Automotive Services Through Partnership with Local Industry, City Leaders and Wallace Community College. Dothan Eagle
- Leaders Welcome the Chamber, ESCC and Guests for Overview Meeting. Dothan Eagle
- “Mentor Me” Fair Pairs Students with Organizations, Opportunities. WDHN
Headlines
- Production on Airbus A220 Begins at Mobile Facility. Alabama NewsCenter
- Special Report: Mobile is Home to One of the Largest Ports in the Country—and Its Importance Should Never be Ignored. Alabama Political Reporter
Statewide Headlines
- Alabama Sees Record Foreign Direct Investment with Nearly $1 Billion and 7,500 New Jobs Created This Year Alone. Made In Alabama
- WIOA Programs Benefit Employee, Employer. Yellowhammer
National Headlines
- Alabama Wins 2019 State of the Year Award. Southern Business and Development
- U.S. Sees Continued Hiring Growth, Steady Record-low Jobless Rate. Randle Report
