
Our mission is to recruit, train, and empower a highly skilled workforce driven by business and industry needs.
In the fall of 2015, the Alabama Workforce Council undertook a statewide effort to understand the structure, function, organization and perceptions of the Alabama workforce system. The results showed that Alabama has numerous workforce-development organizations, but they could be more effective if organized under a unified brand.
AlabamaWorks! stands for opportunity, innovation, accountability and inclusion with the vision of a better future for Alabama in which communities, business, and industry are supported in a collaborative process to build prosperity through the opportunity of meaningful work and a growing economy.
Connect with Your
Region
AlabamaWorks! connects citizens across the state with local employment and training opportunities through its seven regional initiatives, each tailored to the unique needs and resources of their area. These regions feature dedicated career centers, providing accessible, personalized services to help you find employment, training, or career assistance.

STORY SPOTLIGHT ON
ALABAMA’S WORKFORCE
STABILIZATION PROGRAM

7,080
Goal 1: Provide short term education and training programs to 7,080 participants.

200
Goal 2: Help 200 Alabamians avoid layoffs, up-skill current employees, & develop talent pipelines.
The purpose of the AWSP is to provide opportunities for 7,080 Alabama workers that have been displaced by COVID-19, to develop new skills in high demand industries: Healthcare, Advanced Manufacturing, Information Technology, Transportation, distribution/logistics and Construction. The method for participation in the AWSP is employer driven, but the ultimate goal is to assist the individual worker.
The Alabama Workforce Stabilization Program (AWSP) is a needs-based workforce training program that was awarded $17,827,178.11 through a grant form the U.S. Department of Education Re-Imagine Workforce Program (RWP) provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
(RWP CARES Act – CFDA84-425G)
Key Details
Offsets the costs to participants for a short-term education program
Designed to provide integrated education for participants who co-enroll in adult education and CTE courses
Awards college credit through the ACCS PriorHelp students who need assistance in meeting requirements for the Ability to Benefit program
Program allows adults who have not yet earned a HS Diploma or GED to access the Pell Grant by either passing an ability to benefit assessment of basic skills or by completing at least two 3-hour for credit college courses
Targeted Participants
Displaced Workers
Individuals displaced by Covid-19 with returning to the workforce
New Workers
Helping new workers with barriers to enter the workforce toward in-demand occupations
Underemployed Workers
Helping underemployed and low-wage workers transition to better paying, more fulfilling employment
Expectations
Participants must complete the Customer Information Form or update AlabamaWorks Profile.
Once updated, each participant must make an appointment with the local career center where you will receive integrated case management.
Employment Opportunities are limited to participating AWSP employers.
Participants will work with Career Center representatives to determine level of services and the best career advancement path.
The competitive preference of the grant award is to prioritize programs serving individuals who reside/work in rural communities or Opportunity Zones.
Benefits
Opportunities for Employers
The Alabama Workforce Stabilization program is designed to help Alabama businesses avoid lay-offs, upskill current employees, and develop talent pipelines.
Provide entry level employment for “new to the workforce” participants
Hire new talent with On the Job Training assistance
Employment Opportunities are limited to participating AWSP employers.
Incentivize workers to stay with the company by providing upskilling through Incumbent Worker Training programs
Train supervisors and managers to identify mental health issues that affect the production and efficiency of the employee. The University of Alabama VitAL program will provide all AWSP employers Mental Health First Aid Training
ALABAMA WORKFORCE COUNCIL
The Alabama Workforce Council (AWC) is comprised of business executives from vital industries of Alabama with the goal of facilitating collaboration between government and industry to help Alabama develop a sustainable, top-notch workforce that is competitive on a global scale.

2015
The Alabama Workforce Council was formed as an employer-led statewide effort to understand the structure, function, organization and perception of the Alabama workforce system. The result of the survey, focus groups and research performed by the AWC showed that while Alabama has abundant educational, state, business support, training and other resources for the employer, student and job-seeker, they were not aligned and united in the ultimate goal of connecting the qualified worker with prospective employer.
2016
The Council officially launched AlabamaWorks, a brand standing for opportunity, innovation, accountability and inclusion with the vision of a better future for Alabamians, our state and our economy.
Initial partners included the Alabama Department of Labor, AIDT, the Alabama Community College System, the Alabama Technology Network, the K-12 System and the Career Centers.
2018
Since the dialogue was been opened, the Council has progressed the AlabamaWorks addition of AlabamaWorks Success Plus, which was formally launched by Governor Ivey in early 2018. AlabamaWorks Success Plus is a structured path for our state to add an additional 500,000 credentialed workers by 2025.
2023
Before its inception, businesses and the education sector worked within silos, even though their goals were the same. Today, the council continues to open the doors of communication between public and private entities, creating and adopting business-driven courses, credentials and certifications that Alabamians need to excel in the workplace.
Meet the Council

Tim McCartney
AWC Chair

Christy Knowles
AWC Vice Chair

Rep. Alan Baker
ACCCP Committee

Ronnie Boles
ACCCP Committee

Miranda Bouldin-Frost
ACCCP Committee

Larry Brock
–

Nancy Buckner
Ex Officio

Jane Elizabeth Burdeshaw
Ex Officio

Ed Castile
Ex Officio

Dr. Philip Cleveland
Human Capital Development Committee

Seth Hammett
Human Capital Development Committee

Allen Harris
Chair, Human Capital Development Committee

Melissa Herkt
Human Capital Development Committee

Steve Hildebrandt
Outreach & Engagement Committee

Jimmy Hull
Ex Officio

Randy Jordan
Outreach & Engagement Committee

Mike Kitchens
Outreach & Engagement Committee

Neil Lamb
PPP Committee

Alex McCrary
PPP Committee

Joseph Morton
PPP Committee

John Allen Nichols
Chair, ACCCP

Billy Norell
Human Capital Development Committee

KC Pang
Human Capital Development Committee

Keith Phillips
Ex Officio

Daryle Pilkinton
ACCCP Committee

Gindi Prutzman
Ex Officio

Dr. Jim Purcell
Ex Officio

Alicia Ryan
ACCCP Committee

Alex Sadler
Outreach & Engagement Committee

Peggy Sease-Fain
Human Capital Development Committee

Chris Sticklin
Human Capital Development Committee

Fitzgerald Washington
Ex Officio

Phil Webb
PPP Committee

Lamar Whitaker
PPP Committee
Key Contacts
General Questions
Ed Castile
Deputy Secretary, Department of Commerce
Media & PR Questions
Jacqueline Allen
Assistant Director of Communications & External Affairs