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West Al Works 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!

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!

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.

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.

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. 

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! 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.

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.

West Alabama Works 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.

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.