The Alabama Workforce Council (AWC) is working with the Ivey Administration and partners across the state to share best practices, key facts, and resources for employers, employees, and those who have been recently unemployed.
While the immediate focus of our efforts has transitioned to workforce recovery and response efforts to COVID-19 through our work with informational webinars, workforce recovery surveys, and resources for businesses (all available online), the AWC and AlabamaWorks remain steadfastly committed to the Governor’s attainment goal of adding 500,000 highly-skilled workers to Alabama’s economy by 2025. Notably, in these uncertain times, this goal has not changed.
Creating a highly-skilled workforce and resilient economy, even one that will be recovering for the foreseeable future, is necessary for Alabama’s economic vitality. For those who have become unemployed or underemployed due to COVID-19, reskilling, or upskilling now can lead to sustainable in-demand career pathways that produce measurable benefits in the future.
Success Plus, the formal name for the Governor’s postsecondary education attainment goal, outlines the need to add an additional 500,000 Alabamians prepared for in-demand, high-wage careers to the workforce by obtaining credentials, certificates, or degrees in addition to a high school diploma by 2025. More must be done to create stackable pathways that allow individuals to earn credentials through career-specific education and shorter-term programs that prepare them for immediate employment and future advancement
To this end, Alabama has established a quality-assurance process for credentials through the Alabama Committee on Credentialing and Career Pathways (ACCCP). The ACCCP is tasked with identifying the in-demand occupations in Alabama, developing competency models and career pathways for each of the in-demand occupations, and the related credentials of value associated with each of the in-demand occupations.
Additionally, on June 8 the Alabama Workforce Council will launch the Governor’s Survey of Employer Competencies, which will survey employers in each sector and region of the state to assist the ACCCP with identifying these in-demand occupations as well as the related competencies and credentials of value aligned to those occupations.
The survey will be conducted between June 8 and June 15, 2020 and, going forward, the Survey will be conducted annually to assist the ACCCP’s 16 Technical Advisory Committees (TACs) with their work of linking credentials of value to one or more specific competencies needed for a job. Ultimately, this will allow employers to create competency-based job descriptions that list the specific skills required for a job, rather than using associate or bachelor’s degrees as placeholders. Therefore, it is vital that employers of all sizes, and from each industry sector, provide responses to the survey. The TACs will receive the results of the Governor’s Survey of Employer Competencies at the June 17, 2020 ACCCP meeting.
It is clear that much work remains to be done. COVID-19 adds challenges to our ultimate goal, but the Alabama Workforce Council and AlabamaWorks knows that – regardless of the pandemic – clearly identifying in-demand jobs, with their related skills, and facilitating more opportunities for high-skill, high-wage careers is now more important than ever.
To learn more about the Alabama Workforce Council’s response to COVID-19 and to learn more about Governor Ivey’s vision for creating 500,000 highly skilled workers by 2025, visit www.alabamaworks.com.
-Tim McCartney, formerly of McCartney Construction in Gadsden, is the chairman of the Alabama Workforce Council.
]]>Alabama can play a role as PPE production shifts from overseas locations
As the coronavirus crisis emerged in early March, Governor Kay Ivey established a task force she called the Business and Manufacturing Alliance – BAMA, for short – to work with existing companies in Alabama to produce personal protective equipment.
Working alongside other task forces set up by the governor, BAMA has engaged with scores of companies to achieve its mission during this emergency. This work has also led to a new strategic goal of locating a permanent domestic PPE pipeline right here in Alabama.
A prominent example is Cullman-based HomTex Inc., which began producing cotton face masks after orders for its traditional bed linens declined. HomTex turned out more than 1 million masks in short order.
With support from the Alabama Department of Commerce and others, HomTex now plans to invest $5 million to become a full-time domestic supplier of medical-grade surgical masks for health care workers.
As BAMA’s chairman, I have spoken with many companies across Alabama like HomTex that are suddenly reimagining their businesses. We’re encouraging them to consider a permanent move into protective gear and medical supplies as production moves from overseas locations.
Ultimately, our goal is to position Alabama as a U.S. hub for the production of PPE as this becomes recognized as a critical need and a national security priority. This is one way Alabama can once again make an important contribution to our country.
AlabamaWorks! Releases Business Survey to Identify COVID-19 Impact
MONTGOMERY, Ala – AlabamaWorks is pleased to announce a new tool for all businesses, large and small, related to the COVID-19 impact and future focus of workforce in the state. The Alabama COVID-19 Workforce Response Survey is designed to help the state fully understand the impact of this pandemic on the state’s workforce as well as provide a clear path forward for businesses, industry and state government.
“I am grateful to the Alabama Workforce Council for developing and deploying this much needed and user-friendly survey,” said Governor Kay Ivey. “As we work together to combat COVID-19’s impact, this tool will allow us to identify the needs of business and industry, resources that can help them and how we can best support Alabama’s businesses owners and hardworking Alabamians and their families.”
“While these are challenging times, we fully understand that now, more than ever, business and industry leaders must continue to work together with Governor Ivey’s administration and various state agencies to move us all forward together,” noted Alabama Workforce Council Chairman Tim McCartney. “Rest assured there is an unwavering commitment to do everything we can to minimize the negative impact COVID-19 has on our businesses, our economy, the state and all of its citizens. Using the results from this survey, I know we can all make a difference in combating the challenges from this pandemic facing so many throughout Alabama.”
Responses to the survey will be accepted through Tuesday, April 21 at 5:00pm. All businesses are highly encouraged to participate as the responses will help to protect Alabama’s workforce, manage the impact of COVID-19 and guide allocation of various resources.
Additionally, another tool was released earlier this week for hard-working Alabamians from Governor Ivey’s office to help connect people to resources and resources to people. ALtogetherAlabama.org is a one-stop shop for all Alabamians meant to connect businesses, nonprofits, and people that need help with the available resources during this time
Alabama to Waive Employer Charges for COVID-19 Related Claims State Urging Employers to File Claims on Employees’ Behalf
MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington has temporarily ordered that relief be offered to employers whose employees must file unemployment compensation claims for weeks filed due to COVID-19 related issues.
All charges will be waived against those employers who file partial unemployment compensation claims on behalf of their employees. These charges will be waived until further notice. ADOL is encouraging all employers who can file on their employees’ behalf to do so.
This waiver means that employers’ experience ratings will NOT be affected by COVID-19 related claims.
“We hope that this additional relief to employers will help ease the burden so many of us are facing during this unprecedented situation,” said Washington. “We are encouraging all employers that are able to file these partial claims on behalf of their employees.”
Employers will need to answer YES when asked if the claim is COVID-19 related when they file partial unemployment claims beginning on Monday, March 23, 2020. Any claims filed during this week (March 16 – March 20) will be addressed on a one-by-one basis.
For employers who are unable to file partial claims on their employees’ behalf, ADOL recommends that they notify the agency that they waive their right to respond to any Request for Separation information (known as the BEN 241). The BEN 241 will still be mailed to employers; however, they will need not to respond to it IF THEY NOTIFY US IN WRITING THAT THEY WAIVE THIS RIGHT. Employers can notify the agency by: emailing [email protected] or by faxing 334-309-9098. The statements should be on company letterhead, and should include the state unemployment insurance account number. These methods of contact will be available on March 23, 2020.
Both measures will expedite the processing of their employees’ unemployment compensation claims.
Unemployment benefits are paid with contributions from employers. Employees do not pay any portion of unemployment insurance taxes.
These rules are subject to change.
Information regarding partial claims and how to file them is available at: https://labor.alabama.gov/uc/partials/uc-partials.aspx.
Members of the media seeking more information should contact Communications Director Tara Hutchison at (334) 309-9014.
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MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that beginning Wednesday, March 18, 2020, all of Alabama’s 51 Career Centers will close to the public in order to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. This closure will be in effect until further notice.
Alabamians in need of Career Center services will still be able to receive them via telephone calls with their local staff, or through email correspondence.
Additionally, job search services and many other resources are available for self-service at www.joblink.alabama.gov, Alabama’s free online jobs database.
“We are taking this action in order to protect our employees and limit exposure to our customers,” said Washington. “We will continue to provide services to our job seekers and employers in the best way we can.”
Please note that Career Centers are NOT “unemployment offices.” There are no “unemployment offices” in Alabama. The only ways to file an unemployment compensation claim are by calling 1-866-234-5382 or by visiting www.labor.alabama.gov. Online filing is strongly encouraged.
A listing of all Career Centers and their contact information is available at www.labor.alabama.gov or at www.joblink.alabama.gov/ada/r/contact.
The ADOL Central Office in Montgomery will also be closed to the public until further notice.
Members of the media seeking more information should contact Communications Director Tara Hutchison at (334) 309-9014.
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Auxiliary aids and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
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Alabama Announces Support for Workers Impacted by COVID-19
MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that Alabama workers who are not able to work due to COVID-19 will be eligible to file for unemployment benefits.
Based on current guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor, the Alabama Department of Labor is modifying existing unemployment compensation rules to allow workers to file a claim for unemployment compensation benefits who are affected in any of the following way:
- ·Those who are quarantined by a medical professional or a government agency,
- Those who are laid off or sent home without pay for an extended period by their employer due to COVID-19 concerns,
- Those who are diagnosed with COVID-19,
- Or, those who are caring for an immediate family member who is diagnosed with COVID-19.
The requirement that a laid-off worker be “able and available” to work while receiving unemployment compensation benefits has been modified for claimants who are affected by COVID-19 in any of the situations listed above. Additionally, claimants will also not have to search for other work provided they take reasonable steps to preserve their ability to come back to that job when the quarantine is lifted or the illness subsides. The waiting week, which is typically the first week of compensable benefits, will also be waived.
Certain criteria and exceptions may apply, and are subject to change. Verification of illness or quarantine may be required.
Workers can file for benefits online at www.labor.alabama.gov or by calling 1-866-234-5382. Online filing is encouraged.
People who are being paid to work from home, or those receiving paid sick or vacation leave are NOT eligible for unemployment compensation benefits, regardless if they experience any or all of the situations listed above.
Claimants can begin filing these claims on Monday, March 23, 2020.
“Many changes are happening quickly with regards to Alabama’s workforce, and it’s important to ensure that we are offering as many available options to those who find themselves in different employment situations,” said Governor Kay Ivey. “As always, we stand ready to assist Alabama’s workers in any way we possibly can.”
“We understand that we are entering a difficult time for workers and employers,” said Secretary Fitzgerald Washington. “We want to help those who may be temporarily financially impacted by helping them to replace some of their lost income while being unable to work. We are working with both federal and state government to ensure that we are doing all that we can to help ease the burden during a potentially trying time.”
Employers who decide to shut down due to causes related to COVID-19 should treat the shutdown as a temporary layoff.
These rules are subject to change pending congressional action.
Please see the attached Frequently Asked Questions for more details.
Members of the media seeking more information should contact Communications Director Tara Hutchison at (334) 309-9014.
An Equal Opportunity Employer / Program
Auxiliary aids and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
Dial 711 for TTY Accessibility