Etowah Workforce Academy
| David Smith, left, Gadsden State’s precision machining instructor, presented to a group of educators about his program located in the new addition at the Bevill Center on the East Broad Campus. |
Gadsden, Ala. - Over 400 educators from area public schools gathered together in August for the second annual Etowah Workforce Academy. The educators took the time to learn about entry-level jobs and career ladders in manufacturing and healthcare while visiting facilities and career technical departments at Gadsden State Community College.
“The Etowah Workforce Academy is a new program of The Chamber of Gadsden & Etowah County,” said Heather Brothers New, president and CEO of The Chamber. “It began last year on a much smaller scale when we hosted 10 educators for one day during the summer to try out our theory that if teachers are given a personal point of perspective about the wide variety of career available in manufacturing and healthcare, it will make an impact in their minds and their classroom.”
The program was done in partnership with Gadsden State and East AlabamaWorks. Superintendents from the Attalla City, Gadsden City and Etowah County Schools participated.
“To see the superintendents from all three school systems attending and actively participating along with their faculty speaks volumes about their commitment to developing our students into a strong and competitive workforce,” she said. “They walk the walk, they understand education is the cornerstone of employability, and an employable workforce is critical to a growing and healthy economy.”
Josh Laney, the director of the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship, provided a keynote address over lunch that was sponsored by the Federal Reserve. He presented a presentation about manufacturing having the highest volume of high-wage jobs in our area.
“If we think about it, our employers are the consumer and our students are a product,” he said. “We are developing the only product that essentially gets to name its own price. So, we have to ask ourselves, what are we doing to develop a valuable product?”
Participants ranged from elementary to high school faculty and administrative staff from all different areas of instruction. They divided into groups of 20 and visited a number of programs at Gadsden State, including accounting, science, business, civil engineering, welding, industrial automation and more.
| Tim Hardy, right, Gadsden State’s air conditioning and refrigeration instructor, presented to a group of educators about his program located on the Valley Street Campus. |
"Gadsden State is proud to be an integral part in training Alabama’s workforce,” said Jackie Brehm Edmondson, director of public relations and marketing at Gadsden State and a member of the Workforce Academy Planning Committee. “Many of the Workforce Academy participants said they learned something new about Gadsden State and the fact that students can earn a certificate, short-term certificate or an associate degree, and in two years or less, students can have direct-entry into the workforce.”
The experience to explore some of Gadsden State’s programs was very valuable to the educators.
“Having the opportunity to see what career ladders are available and what programs Gadsden State offers for two-year degrees allow us to better advocate for our students,” said Jennifer Jones, director of general services at Attalla City Schools. “We are sending our students into the world of work, and we want to ensure they are trained and trainable. The Etowah Workforce Academy is a bridge to ensure that takes place.”
Manufacturing tours were hosted by Inteva Products, Koller-Craft, Stamped Products Inc., Keystone Foods, Webb-Stiles, the AIDT Mobile Training Unit and Honda’s Workforce Development Training Unit. Healthcare facilities that hosted tours included Gadsden Regional Medical Center, Encompass Health and Riverview Regional Medical Center.
