Skills for Success, Gadsden State offer rapid training programs

Students in the skid steer training at Gadsden State Community College observe the operation of the piece of equipment used primarily for digging. The free training program is through Alabama Community College System’s Skills for Success.

Gadsden State Community College’s Skills Training Division offered two training programs through partnerships with Skills for Success and the Innovation Center. Both are initiatives of the Alabama Community College System.

“These organizations bring together the community colleges, business and industry and community partners to provide training in the state’s most in-demand career fields,” said Baisha Woody, director of Gadsden State’s Skills Training Division.

Skills for Success is a free rapid training program introduced in 2022. Since its launch, over 1,500 Alabamaians have registered for training in high-demand jobs. In 2023, Gadsden State offered skid steer training and food and beverage services training.

In 2023, Gadsden State offered skid steer training and food and beverage services.

In April, 12 students completed skid steer training.

“There’s a large demand for construction equipment operators,” said Alan Smith, dean of Workforce Development. “Now that they have completed the training, they can work on any construction site. They’re fully qualified.”

A skid steer is a small, versatile piece of construction equipment primarily used for digging. Part of the skid steer training is offered online with interactive learning that is self-paced. It opened on March 20 and students had a month to complete it. Upon completion of the online portion, students then participated in a two-day, 16-hour hands-on training using two skid steers.

“During the training, they get to do what they’ve learned online,” Woody said. “They do pre-trip checks and safety checks. They get into the skid steers and actually operate them. They have to complete a number of obstacles before they are awarded a completion certificate.”

In August, students were invited to participate in training for food and beverage services.

“We focused on ‘front of the house’ jobs and duties in the hospitality and tourism field,” she said. “We provided hands-on experience in food safety, management principles, cooking techniques and customer service.”

For more information on training opportunities through the Skills Training Division, visit www.GadsdenState.edu/Skills-Training.