Chat with us! Chat

Workforce Happenings

West Alabama Works hosts quarterly workforce development summit
New child care program at Shelton State

New child care program at Shelton State

he state of Alabama is currently facing a child care shortage problem. Industry leaders say there aren’t enough child care centers for children in need but that may soon change.

Shelton State Community College has established a partnership with West Alabama Works to start a course aimed at recruiting people to open daycare programs in their homes.

Read More
Job kiosk added to Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center

Job kiosk added to Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center

The Tuscaloosa VA and West Alabama Works are working closer than ever before to help veterans find jobs.

West Alabama Works installed a special kiosk in Building 135 on the VA campus. It connects veterans to job openings in West Alabama. The kiosk is also open to dependents of veterans as well as their caregivers. They can search for jobs and apply for positions with local employers in West Alabama.

Read More
West AlabamaWorks! is Hiring
West AlabamaWorks! is Helping Students Find Jobs

West AlabamaWorks! is Helping Students Find Jobs

Tuscaloosa County leaders have come up with a clever way to help students get connected with jobs. 

Starting soon students in all six of the Tuscaloosa County high schools will be able to search for a job at school. 

Thanks to a partnership between West AlabamaWorks and the Tuscaloosa County Commission. 

Read More
West AlabamaWorks Gets $3,000 Grant for its Educator Workforce Academy

West AlabamaWorks Gets $3,000 Grant for its Educator Workforce Academy

Enterprise Mobility Foundation has given a grant of $3,000 to West AlabamaWorks in support of Educator Workforce Academy.

Educator Workforce Academy is a supported guide to help connect educators and the workforce in better preparation to educate the youth.

Read More
Educator Workforce Academy awarded grant to help bridge the gap between businesses, schools

Educator Workforce Academy awarded grant to help bridge the gap between businesses, schools

A group tasked with helping businesses address workforce needs in west Alabama has been rewarded for doing a good job, receiving a grant that will make on of its signature programs easier on participants.

West Alabama Works was awarded a $3,000 grant from Enterprise Mobility Foundation to support its Educator Workforce Academy, a program that bridges the gap between educators and businesses.

Read More
‘Pathways to Hope’ grant to support women in Aliceville Federal Prison

‘Pathways to Hope’ grant to support women in Aliceville Federal Prison

Thanks to a collaborative effort between West AlabamaWorks!, the Alabama Department of Commerce-Workforce Development Division, and Ingram State Technical College, female inmates at Alliceville Federal Prison have more hope for a productive life upon being released after a $6.5 million “Pathways to Hope” grant was awarded to the prison.

Read More
West AlabamaWorks! Third Annual Regional Signing Day Impact

West AlabamaWorks! Third Annual Regional Signing Day Impact

The event celebrated the achievements of outstanding students and provided networking opportunities for attendees. It was a successful and inspiring day for all involved.

Read More
Success Story

Partners, Pathways, Pipelines

"I made it all the way to 12th grade but it was just too hard for me to finish. I had a lot of encouragement, but I felt like my daughter who is a 'total care child' was more important to me. I thought I'd never finish so I ended up trying to obtain my GED, but come to find out when I wanted to start Shelton the GED I thought I obtained was not accredited. So this program came about at such a perfect time.

Do it, it’s the best thing. It’s a feeling of relief for me and it’s something I thought I would never have and through this program I was able to obtain it. So, it’s a dream come true, a total dream come true. Yes I'm 46, but I did it!"

Felicia Stewart-Taylor

High School Graduate at age 46

Smart Horizon Career Online Education

Success Story

Partners, Pathways, Pipelines

"West AlabamaWorks! supports DCH and the Healthcare Cluster strategically in coordinating the development and recruitment of qualified and engaged employees.  Their ability to assist us in creative brainstorming and problem solving for viable workforce solutions is invaluable."

Peggy Sease-Fain

Vice President of Human Resources

DCH Healthcare System

Success Story

Partners, Pathways, Pipelines

"West AlalabamaWorks! gave me something that I couldn't and didn't get from my own family. They helped me get into the online high school program where I had an academic coach who pushed and motivated me to never give up and to keep going. With that push, motivation, and support that was given to me, I was able to obtain my online high school diploma and my office management certificate at the same time. I can say that I've had opportunities and gained experience that I never had before. I know that without the help of those at West Al Works, I wouldn't be where I am, and as far as I am today. I am very appreciative and thankful for all of the support, motivation, and help from those at West Al Works. If y'all had never believed in me, I would not have believed in myself, and I wouldn't be as successful as I am today. Thank you!"

Shakeitta Richardson

Student

Career Online High School Graduate, enrolled at Shelton State Community College

Success Story

Partners, Pathways, Pipelines

"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."

Shawn McDaniel

Principal

Pickens County College and Career Center

Success Story

Partners, Pathways, Pipelines

"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."

Kelly S. Norstrom

Director of Career and Technical Education

Tuscaloosa City Schools

Success Story

Partners, Pathways, Pipelines

"As a member of the Tuscaloosa and West Alabama community for more than 70 years, Phifer Incorporated is honored to be a proud supporter of West AlabamaWorks! The workforce development needs in our region required strong leadership, effective planning and the coordination of resources that result in solutions that meet the needs of business, industry and job seekers.  One of our effective solutions is the Ready-To-Work program provided by our local community colleges. We encourage job seekers that wish to change to a manufacturing career field to attend Ready-To-Work so they may succeed in their new career pathway."

Russell DuBose

Vice President of Human Resources

Phifer Incorporated

Success Story

Partners, Pathways, Pipelines

"West AlabamaWorks! was a monumental part of my career. I want to thank them for having an event like WOW (Worlds of Work) and allowing me to be apart of it. I was able to learn about different career options at a crucial age when everyone asks "what's next? Now, I am a third year apprentice in the TJAC Local 372 Union working at McAbee Construction. This would not have been possible without having experienced WOW and WOW 2.0 and learning about opportunities right in town. I'm forever Grateful."

Megan Coleman

Apprentice

Local 372 Pipefitters Union

Success Story

Partners, Pathways, Pipelines

“West AlabamaWorks! partnership with ARD has greatly benefited ARD's success by connecting us with the resources required in our hiring, training, governmental support for training, collaboration with educational programs, etc.  Donny Jones and his team are outstanding; check out West Alabama Works to meet your needs.”

Bregitte Braddock

General Manager

ARD Logistics- Alabama, LLC

Success Story

Partners, Pathways, Pipelines

"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."

Ed Castile

Deputy Secretary, Workforce Development Division, Director of AIDT

Alabama Department of Commerce

Success Story

Partners, Pathways, Pipelines

"West AlabamaWorks! coordinates and engages all necessary resources to produce results that support the region needs and is an extremely important partner for the automotive industry in this region.  They fully support MBUSI and its Suppliers to find high-performing and engaged employees, dedicated to building the highest quality vehicles in a positive team culture. West AlabamaWorks! proactively drives effective actions, based on the collective needs of the region, by being the conduit to connect business and industry, government and educations leaders."

Rolf Wrona

Vice President of Human Resources

Mercedes-Benz U.S. International

NextPrevious

Stay in the know by signing up for our newsletter!