A glimmer of hope shot through farm country late last year when Congress included $10 billion of economic aid for farmers in an end-of-year resolution. Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell said the relief package was a critical first step to help farmers stay in business until a new, improved farm bill is passed. The American Relief Act extended the 2018 Farm Bill through September.

Four Star Freightliner, a leading truck dealership in the Southeast, has taken a significant step in workforce development by registering its Diesel Technician Apprenticeship Program with the state of Alabama.

Tomorrow, the Alabama Department of Labor will officially become the Alabama Department of Workforce — and Secretary Greg Reed will serve as its first leader. Governor Kay Ivey announced that on February 1, 2025, the transition first initiated by lawmakers during the 2024 state legislative session will go into effect, current Secretary of Labor Marty […]

The Tennessee Valley Authority and the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering have partnered to advance cybersecurity education and workforce development across Alabama.

You may not know it, but Alabama is powering the future of mobility, playing pivotal roles in automotive technology, space exploration, aircraft production, and shipbuilding. From assembling electric vehicles (EVs) and rockets to producing world-class passenger jets, Alabama’s industries are shaping the technologies of tomorrow. Consider these highlights: Alabama auto plants produce over 1 million […]

The Alabama Technology Network (ATN) is excited to announce the Southeastern  Supply Chain Summit, "Staying Alive in 2025: Elevate Your Supply Chain," taking place on February 17-18 at The Mill Conference Center in Starkville, MS.

The Board of Directors for Manufacture Alabama has announced a shift in leadership and elected its next chairperson. Karen Johnston, the regional director for government affairs at Toyota North America, will take over the position effective Wednesday.

Instructor Paula Carroll’s Medical Science II students from the DeKalb County Technology Center (DCTC) gave a presentation on employability skills recently at the HH DeKalb Regional Medical Center (HH DRMC).

‘Tis the season for job numbers and Alabama received a mixed package for Christmas. Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 3.1%, up from October 2024’s rate of 2.9%, according to Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Marty Redden. November’s rate is above November 2023’s rate of 2.8%. The rate represents 73,278 unemployed persons, compared to […]

As the late Whitney Houston once sang in “Greatest Love of All,” the children are the future, and we must teach them well and let them lead the way. Through initiatives like the Power of Youth Leadership Forum, some of the Wiregrass area’s best and brightest young leaders are learning how to step into successful careers and lead their communities into the future.

A $2 million grant from Alabama’s Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) program will fund critical infrastructure projects in the Northeast Opelika Industrial Park, enhancing the city’s attractiveness for new business and investment. The SEEDS funding will support two key projects in Opelika: the extension of North Park Drive and the construction of a bridge across Halawakee […]

Farmers who use the federal H-2A guest worker program scored a crucial victory last week when a district court halted overreach from the Department of Labor (DOL). On Nov. 26, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi barred the DOL from enforcing its Worker Protection Rule, which unlawfully extended unionization rights to […]

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 state-of-the-art regional workforce development facility in Oxford has officially opened after a grand ceremony on Monday. The Choccolocco Research, Education, Arts, and Technology Experience (CREATE) center

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 Alabama Trucking Association will be taking part in National Truck Driver Appreciation Week honoring the 3.5 million professional truck drivers across the country. 

Auto manufacturing has become a key industry in Alabama crucial 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.

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.

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 […]

WASHINGTON — 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.