ARC Awards West Alabama Works $1.5M Grant for WAW 2020 Initiative
February 2, 2017
PROJECT TO DELIVER JOB TRAINING SERVICES TO FILL CRITICAL REGIONAL WORKFORCE NEEDS IN AUTOMOTIVE; MANUFACTURING
The Appalachian Regional Commission has awarded $1,500,810 in grant funding to the West Alabama Works (WAW) - Region 3 Workforce Development Council for the WAW 2020 Initiative. The project will deliver job training services to fill critical regional workforce needs in the rapidly growing automotive and advanced manufacturing industries in western Alabama. Areas to be served include Tuscaloosa, Fayette, Bibb, Hale, and Lamar Counties. Senator Greg Reed said, “This solid partnership between business and industry, as well as secondary and post-secondary education, is a significant driver of success in the 2020 Initiative. This format showcases the ability of education to be nimble to businesses needs in an environment shared with secondary education.”
West Alabama Works has partnered with Bevill State Community College and Shelton State Community College to develop specific programs based on industry need. Senator Gerald Allen indicated that “The outreach of this grant will touch the lives of many of our citizens. I am particularly impressed with the synergy that will be created by 24 business and industry partners, 10 education partners, 9 government and public sector partners, and 5 other partners such as Community Works Tuscaloosa. These entities are all committed to work together to assist individuals find a career and meet the growing workforce needs in our region.”
Additionally, the project will create a “pop-up” Community Resource Center in Brookwood, Alabama, to serve as a hub for community engagement. The Brookwood Technical High School and Training Center will undergo renovations, allowing the facility to offer credentialing services at four regional high schools for employment in hospitality and culinary arts, health care and advanced manufacturing. According to Brookwood’s Mayor Hyche, “The career resource center and technical high school will be a welcomed and needed asset to the Brookwood community, especially after the downturn of the coal industry which impacted so many families in this area. This innovative and inclusive project will no doubt be a difference maker in Brookwood.”
Finally, through a partnership with Energy Alabama and the Alabama Automotive Manufacturer’s Association, business-specific plans will be developed that will speed the adoption of sustainable energy in Alabama’s automotive energy.
The WAW 2020 Initiative will train 1,000 dislocated workers and credential 500 students over the life of the award. “Not only will this aid workers in an area that has been adversely impacted by the changing economics of the regional coal economy, this project will enable us to fill workforce needs in rapidly advancing sectors,” says Donny Jones, Chief Operating Officer for the Chamber and Executive Director of West Alabama Works. “West Alabama Works is uniquely positioned to assist employers in this region – and statewide – in readying a new generation of skilled workers.”
The Region 3 Workforce Development Council, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, formed West Alabama Works to lead workforce development efforts throughout West Alabama. The regional workforce development system facilitates and implements a comprehensive, coordinated, seamless workforce development system for the region and supports workforce training activities. With a mission to promote economic prosperity throughout West Alabama by providing support services to business and industry and job seekers, West Alabama Works serves as the region’s central hub for workforce development efforts and training.