Josh Laney is the Director of the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship. Denise Miller is the Director of Apprenticeship Colorado. As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of National Apprenticeship Week, a new administration and Congress are contemplating the next chapter in federal policy around apprenticeships.  The past decade has borne witness to the undeniable popularity of the apprenticeship […]

Recognized as an asset to the “overall health and well-being of our community,” 13 emergency medical technicians graduated Thursday from HEMSI’s EMS Academy. The rigorous 10-week academy is a unique “earn-as-you-learn” workforce development program that helps fill a local, critical need for more trained EMTs. The program also supports the development of EMTs into Advanced […]

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Monday for a state-of-the-art regional workforce development facility in Oxford. The Choccolocco Research, Education, Arts, and Technology Experience (CREATE) center allows Oxford High School students and adults the chance to prepare for high-paying, in-demand job opportunities in a variety of fields including engineering, modern manufacturing, computer science, and green power. […]

The Caring Foundation of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama (BCBSAL) has pledged major ongoing funding for the launch of the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences (ASHS), scheduled to open in fall 2026. “We’re honored to partner with this leader in healthcare to fulfill our mission, and we’re grateful for the Caring Foundation’s substantial support to […]

Governor Kay Ivey today announced she has received a forward-thinking economic strategic plan presented by Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair. Designed to guide the state’s growth through the next decade and beyond, the plan cements Alabama’s status as a leader in economic development. This comprehensive plan — called Catalyst — replaces the state’s previous framework, Accelerate […]

The Regions Foundation has awarded a $150,000 grant to the nonprofit organization STRIVE Birmingham. The group supports education and workforce development opportunities in the Magic City by providing free job training and career support services to those having difficulty finding employment. The grant was presented Friday during one of STRIVE’s first graduation events honoring adults […]

National Truck Driver Appreciation Week will honor the 3.5 million professional truck drivers across the country from September 15-21. The week is meant to recognize and honor individuals in the trucking industry for their invaluable efforts in keeping the nation’s supply chain functioning. The Alabama Trucking Association is highlighting the dedication, skill, and perseverance of those […]

Auto manufacturing has become a key industry in Alabama, vital to its economic success. With multiple manufacturing facilities now operating across the state, the industry is on track to continue its trend of steady growth. One such facility, Montgomery’s Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, LLC (HMMA), contributes to the progress by supporting over 14,000 direct and […]

A group of Alabama business and elected officials visited the South Alabama Mega Site recently where they toured the construction site of the Novelis aluminum recycling and rolling mill. Novelis broke ground on the development in 2022, which marked a major milestone for Baldwin County as a historic economic development win for the state. Currently, […]

Airbus has achieved a significant feat after delivering its 500th aircraft assembled on-site at its Mobile manufacturing facility. The corporation first began producing aircraft at the location in 2016. Daryl Taylor, Senior Vice President of Commercial Aircraft Operations for Airbus in the U.S., praised the company’s workers for assembling the plane. “This 500th aircraft milestone […]

The Medical Association of the State of Alabama and the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners announced today that applications are now being accepted for an innovative program designed to increase the number of doctors in the state. During the 2023 legislative session, state lawmakers passed the Physician Workforce Act, which is continuing to address a […]

With the needs of cybersecurity and the growth of data analytics in the world of artificial intelligence, IBM and the Alabama Community College System are partnering on a certification system. IBM unveiled two IBM SkillsBuild certificates in cybersecurity and data analytics, which have been piloted and designed with the state’s community colleges. The SkillsBuild certificates […]

United Launch Alliance (ULA) is preparing for a busy schedule of rocket launches after completing a $300 million-plus expansion project that made its Alabama rocket factory the largest facility of its kind in the world. The growth in Decatur will allow ULA to nearly double its launch rate. “We are grateful for the partnerships that […]

Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance President Lee Lawson said the 2024 legislative session is going to be of great benefit for Alabama’s workforce and economy both now and in the future.  In a recent video, Lawson discussed some of accomplishments made in the “Working for Alabama” package of legislation. https://x.com/BaldwinCountyED/status/1803172947198201936   “2024 was a very […]

As former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Sam Rayburn once said, and I’ll paraphrase, “Any fool can kick down a barn, but it takes a good carpenter to build one.” In our political landscape today, from Washington, D.C. down, we have plenty of folks kicking down barns, but not nearly enough carpenters building […]

Innovate Alabama plays a crucial role in fostering small business growth across the Yellowhammer State. To continue those invaluable efforts, the organization is set to receive nearly $98 million in additional funding. The dual-component program, LendAL and InvestAL, will finance loan and venture capital initiatives intended to enhance lender and investor confidence in Alabama and […]

After the union’s unsuccessful attempt to organize the Mercedes-Benz Plant in Vance, Alabama, president of the United Auto Workers (UAW) Shawn Fain is under investigation for allegedly contributing to significant corruption within the organization. Fain, who has only been President of the UAW since March 2023, has been accused by union members of retaliation after […]

Auburn University is initiating a project aimed at extending its support for the state’s advanced manufacturing capabilities, the school announced in Monday’s Board of Trustees June recap. Late last week, the Board approved the construction of an Analytical, Innovation and Manufacturing Laboratory at the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. According to the release, the lab […]

Jason Pickering of Mazda Toyota Manufacturing has been named Chair of North AlabamaWorks (NAW), the Regional Workforce Council of North Alabama. He’ll assume leadership following the recent retirement of Melinda Weaver of Alabama Power as Chair. North AlabamaWorks is a nonprofit serving Region 1 of Alabama’s Regional Workforce Councils, dedicated to facilitating a comprehensive, coordinated […]

After a landmark legislative effort across both the Alabama House and Senate, identified as a top priority in Governor Kay Ivey’s 2024 State of the State address, leaders celebrated the signing of six bills that make up the “Working for Alabama” plan. The package is set to address a major vulnerability in Alabama’s workforce and […]

Alabama Secretary of Commerce Ellen McNair joined Alabama Public Television’s Capitol Journal last week to discuss her economic professional background, approach to crafting strategy, as well as the ongoing effort by the United Auto Workers (UAW) to unionize the Mercedes-Benz manufacturing facility outside of Tuscaloosa. “My experience, I hate to use this number, but 40 […]

As the Working for Alabama legislative package moves through the process, Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter addressed the wide range of Alabamians the bills stand to serve. “Session after session, the men and women of the Legislature come together and pass pro-business legislation that helps Alabamians thrive,” Ledbetter said. “We’re not hanging our hats […]

One component to the seven-bill Working for Alabama legislative package awaits a vote from the Alabama Senate Committee on Finance and Taxation Education related to an aspect of the state’s low workforce participation rate that hits close to home: Childcare. Champions of the bill, including Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter, State Sen. Garlan Gudger, […]

The Alabama Community College System introduced three new programs designed to address employment, child care, and recidivism. Supported by the Alabama Department of Human Resources, the Youth Summer Employment Program, Child Care Training Program, and Transition to Employment Program were announced on Tuesday, April 23, at Trenholm State Community College. Each program will serve to […]