Shakeitta began Career Online High School in June and immediately clicked with the program. She loved that, through Career Online High School, she had an academic coach who pushed and encouraged her every step of the way. She also felt very supported by the West Alabama Works team and knew we wanted to help her succeed. Shakeitta says that the Career Online High School classes worked for her because the material was easy to understand and the teaching was clear. We are proud to say that she graduated from the Career Online High School program on November 3rd!

The team has also connected with our Career Center pre-screen process. Although she was unable to qualify for specific benefits it was our next step. It led to a discussion of Career pathways which led to arranging a session with a Career coach at Shelton State.

In March, Shakeitta is beginning an Associate’s program at Shelton State Community College in Business, Office Management, and Technology. She is hoping to one day start her own business and thinks this program will give her valuable skills and applicable knowledge to work towards her dreams.

The West AlabamaWorks Team is an extension of our ARD Team and has created a solid pipeline of viable candidates to work within our operations. Currently, West AlabamaWorks is in full collaboration with an automotive task force, with a goal of establishing the much needed Brookwood Logistics Center. This relationship will enhance the flow of even more qualified candidates into the Logistics field to help support the growth in this region.

West AlabamaWorks has taken the vision of helping the less fortunate in the outlying regions to another level, by providing extensive training and retraining while transitioning individuals back into the workforce.

One of the great things that the Educator Workforce Academy has done is allowing us, the educators, to go out and see what job opportunities are readily available in our communities so that people can actually go to work for a local company. This shows us, the educators, that this is what we need to be doing to give business and industry the opportunity they need by providing the type of workforce with the right skills, which provides our citizens good jobs and advancement opportunities to further develop the workforce in our community.

West AlabamaWorks is an extremely vital and effective partner for the automotive industry in this region.  They’re supporting MBUSI and its suppliers in finding high-performing, engaged employees who are dedicated to building quality vehicles sold around the world.  West AlabamaWorks listens and helps to meet a critical need – connecting business and industry, government and education leaders so we can help people find well-paying jobs.

West AlabamaWorks has had a tremendous impact on the education system in our region but on Tuscaloosa City Schools in particular. West AlabamaWorks has helped Tuscaloosa City Schools in facilitating the pipeline for students to either receive training at Shelton State Community College or move directly into the workforce.

There are many good paying jobs in West Alabama.  We at Nucor Steel are looking for individuals with strong workplace skills.  Our workforce partners provide training opportunities through technical skills training and apprenticeships programs which prepare our employees for a successful career.

Being innovative in our approach, being able to quickly satisfy a need is especially important if we’re going to meet the challenge and then exceed the challenge.  These factors make West AlabamaWorks one of the best because they can do all of these things.

Phifer Wire employees over 1,200 citizens in West Alabama.  We encourage anyone looking for a career with us to begin with the Ready to Work programs in our region.  This program helps candidates gain basic employment skills we are looking for…

I was kind of lost, and I didn’t know which direction to go. I went to Shelton for the WOW (Worlds of Work) events, and I met people who introduced me to a couple different directions I could go.

It all started with the Career Center! You helped give me my start in college. I am proof that you can achieve your dreams if you work hard and stay focused.