Third Annual West Alabama Regional Signing Day taking place next week
May 2, 2023
TUSCALOOSA, AL – More than seven dozen high school seniors have decided their career path after graduation. The number of seniors is expected to increase in the coming days as seniors make their decisions to enter an apprenticeship, or full-time employment. Seniors will be honored at the West Alabama Regional Signing Day Honoring Career Technical Education on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at the Tuscaloosa Career and Technology Academy. Hundreds of students have successfully entered the workforce or began apprenticeships since the inception of Regional Signing Day since 2019. This years ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m.
“We’re so excited to be able to celebrate our student’s success once again,” said West AlabamaWorks! Executive Director, Donny Jones. “This is one of my favorite events we put on each year because it brings everything, we do from virtual reality TransfrVR headsets in the school systems, WOW, WOW mini, WOW Varsity, and WOW 2.0, all to this moment (Regional Signing Day) to bring awareness of student success through apprenticeships, career pathways, and internships,” said Jones.
Companies participating by awarding apprenticeships and job offers include: Mercedes Auto Tech Program, Skilled Trades of West Alabama, Lear, Schnellecke Logistics, MBUSI Mechatronics, Premier Service Company, BloGo Salon & Skin Wellness, Phifer, ARD Logistics, Hale County EMS, Nucor Academy, and Warrior Met Coal. Companies participating will be added frequently in the coming days as the hiring and onboarding process of high school seniors completes.
The Career technical education students have signed contingent offers to begin full-time employment following graduation. Students entering apprenticeships will train with a company or training organization in a skilled trade, such as welding, manufacturing, and construction among others. Many will also attend a technical school or college as part of the apprenticeship.
A portion of the honorees earned their job or apprenticeship offers through WOW 2.0, an event for high school seniors that was held April 12th at Shelton State Community College. The event is a continuation of West Alabama Works’ annual Worlds of Work (WOW) event for eighth graders. The events help West Alabama students learn about the competitive, fulfilling work opportunities in the region.
Signing Day is free and open to the public. A reception will follow the ceremony catered by TCTA’s Culinary and Hospitality Program.
For more information about West AlabamaWorks! visit our website.