Author Archives: Kailah Dozier

Bevill State Community College’s truck driver training program is growing.

The college announced on March 26 that the Walker County Commission is allowing the college to use a portion of the former Walker County Airport/Bevill Field property for truck driver training, as an additional training location was needed to expand the college’s commercial driving program.

College leaders shared that the Bevill State Workforce Solutions Division and BSCC Truck Driver Training program are now offering various program options for students — short-term certification, business and industry training and the ACCS Innovation Center’s Skills for Success behind-the-wheel training.

“This has resulted in increased interest in the program,” the college released in a statement to the Daily Mountain Eagle.

According to the ACCS Innovation Center’s website, Skills for Success “training is offered at no cost, thanks to legislative appropriations that allow for the development and deployment of training statewide. A unique feature of Skills for Success training is how quickly it can be completed.

“Part of the training is offered online, with self-paced interactive learning. Upon completing the online portion of the course, students then complete hands-on training with qualified instructors at any of the 24 community colleges around the state. The in-person labs simulate real work experience and test students for mastery of skills.

“Participants who complete training also earn a certificate of completion from the local Community College, which signals to businesses that the individual has mastered the skills taught in the program and is immediately ready for employment. Once the curriculum for each program is created by the Innovation Center and tested at each pilot college, it can be replicated by other colleges in other parts of the state rapidly.”

Increased interest in Bevill State’s truck driving program — due to the variety of career pathways — has resulted in the Sumiton campus training site exceeding its capacity, according to the college.

“Dr. Hagood identified the former Walker County/Bevill Field airport as an ideal location for an additional training site. Working with the Walker County Commission, Bevill State entered into an agreement to use a portion of the former airport for commercial driver training,” the college released. “As part of utilizing the additional location, Bevill State invested in striping that outlines the new CDL Class A testing format on the East end of the runway.”

Bevill State is also reportedly working with the Walker County school system to determine possible truck driver training opportunities for students; however, high school students would have to be 18 years old for training.

“As demand for commercial driver training continues to grow, Bevill State remains committed to meeting workforce needs through innovative solutions and strong community partnerships,” Bevill State President Dr. Joel Hagood said. “The expansion of our training offerings is a direct response to this increased interest, and we are especially excited about the opportunity to serve both adult learners and qualified high school students. We are incredibly grateful to the Walker County Commission for allowing Bevill State to utilize a portion of the former Walker County/Bevill Field airport. This site provides the additional space needed to support our growing program and ensure that we are preparing the next generation of commercial drivers right here in our region.”

According to the Alabama Trucking Association, more than 133,000 trucking industry jobs are in Alabama, representing 1 in 13 jobs. The Association says the average annual trucking industry salary is $56,790.

The ATA also says there is a driver and diesel technician shortage in the state.

You may learn more about Bevill State’s truck driving program by visiting https://bscc.edu/programs/career-tech/truck-driver-training.

Students interested in Skills for Success programs may visit https://innovation.accs.edu/studentsurvey/ to connect to training opportunities. Training courses are available across the state in agriculture, architecture and construction, arts/communication/technology, business, education, government, health science, hospitality and tourism, human services, information technology, law, manufacturing, STEM, transportation and more.

From funeral services to ambulance operators, Alabama’s community colleges have a variety of programs to fit industry’s needs

Alabama’s community colleges provide an affordable education and workforce development that prepares students for in-demand careers, from accounting, nursing and cosmetology to computer information systems and manufacturing.

Besides these traditional fields, community colleges also offer some innovative and even surprising courses of study.

Here are details about just a few.

Funeral Services

At Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham, a cohort of students are learning how to care for the dead and those in mourning.

The Funeral Service Education Program curriculum at Jefferson State includes the mortuary sciences, law and ethics, the social science of grief and loss, service management, embalming, restorative arts and thanotochemistry, which is a basic study of inorganic, organic, biological and embalming chemistry. Students also are required to complete embalming and restorative arts labs and an apprenticeship at a funeral home in the state where they want to practice, says Venus Smith, program coordinator for the Funeral Service Education Program at Jefferson State Community College.

“We want students to work in funeral homes while they’re going to school so they can gain hands-on experience and hopefully guarantee themselves a job once they get through school,” Smith says.

Students who complete three consecutive semesters can earn a non-accredited, 27-hour certificate or a 30-hour certificate if they live in states that require more hours of study for working in funeral homes. But students desiring to become licensed funeral directors or licensed embalmers must complete four consecutive semesters to earn an associate of applied science degree in funeral service education. Afterward, students have two choices. They can pass the National Board Exam with the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards and become licensed to practice in Alabama and in other states or pass the state exam to practice only in Alabama.

Derek Glenn, from DeFuniak Springs, Florida, says his father owns a funeral home in his hometown, and for years, he often pitched in to help. But after working funerals, earning a Master of Divinity degree and spending several years in ministry, Glenn says he enrolled in Jefferson State’s funeral services program to earn a degree and join his father’s business full time.

“I would say the chemistry class has been the most challenging for me personally,” says Glenn, “just because my background is in theology. We never had to cover anything in that realm, so, it was just kind of new.”

But as a remote student, Glenn says he was able to complete his apprenticeship at his family’s funeral home.

“In a real sense, the funeral industry is a form of ministry where we can serve people in times of need, where they’re at a low spot, we can come in and take care of things in a professional way.”

Veterinary Technology

Veterinary technicians are licensed professionals who carry out veterinarians’ treatment plans. Their duties can include surgical assisting, emergency and critical care, dental care, nursing care and diagnostic imaging. They also supervise veterinary assistants, manage the business side of veterinary clinics and explain treatment plans to anxious pet parents, farmers and others. At the Southern Union State Community College campus in Valley, students can now enroll in a two-year veterinary technology program that launched last fall. The program has a selective admissions process, so once students are admitted to Southern Union State, they must apply separately to the vet tech program. The program lasts for four semesters and all classes are held on campus. To graduate, students must earn 71 credits, which includes 19 prerequisite hours in core academic courses.

“We’re certainly seeing a lot of interest in the program, and certainly those students that feel they would be more academically challenged or prepared for the workforce with a hands-on campus program, are looking at Southern Union,” says Hayley Pritchard, program director for Southern Union’s Veterinary Technology program. Upon graduation, the newly minted vet techs must pass board exams if they want to become licensed to work in Alabama.

Alabama requires vet tech graduates to pass both the national and state board exams. But those who want to work in other states must follow board exam requirements set in those states. Cayli Harrelson, of Tallassee, says she grew up knowing she wanted to work with animals one day.

“As far as I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with dogs,” she says.

After years of working as an assistant at kennels and veterinary clinics, Harrelson recalls the day she spotted an announcement on Facebook about the new vet tech program at Southern Union and decided to apply. She now makes the hour-long commute to Valley four days a week for classes in the mornings and labs and clinics in the afternoons, she says. During her first semester, Harrelson and her classmates studied animal anatomy and learned about various exotic pets such as snakes, parrots, rats and lizards and visited the Georgia Aquarium for a hands-on experience with penguins.

“That was really exciting,” says Harrelson. “I’ll never forget that.”

Harrelson says she expects to graduate this December.

“I still want to be in a small animal practice right now,” she says. “But long term, I want to specialize in canine rehabilitation.

“The program is going to help me excel in my career and hopefully, I’ll be able to go anywhere I want.”

Ambulance Operator

Ambulance operators play a critical role in caring for patients in need of emergency transport to a hospital or a ride home. The ACCS Innovation Center, a division of the Alabama Community College System, and the Skills for Success program, works with community colleges across the state to provide hands-on job training like the ambulance operator training course. The training courses are free of charge and put students on the fast-track to employment.

In the ambulance operator course, students learn how to transport patients, navigate traffic and tight spaces and perform other skills such as basic life support, airway management, trauma response, assessing patients and the handling of hazardous materials. Students also practice scenarios and learn what to do when a patient is having a heart attack, stroke or is choking.

Enterprise State Community College piloted the ambulance operator program, and the course is now available at the other 23 community colleges around the state, says Kailah Dozier, director of marketing and corporate partnerships with the Alabama Community College System.

Dozier says, “Our goal for 2025 is to generate more interest in this course. There’s a big need, and we’re actively collaborating with multiple emergency services groups, particularly the state EMS director, to promote and integrate this course into their ongoing training and employment opportunities.”

Aviation

For anyone in the Black Belt region interested in the study of flight, Wallace Community College Selma’s aviation program consists of two components, flight awareness and training courses. The awareness component includes an annual Aviation Day, aviation summer camps and an introduction to a mobile flight simulation lab where high school and college students can explore aviation. On the other hand, the aviation training component includes noncredit and credit courses.

The non-credit classes include lessons to earn a private pilot’s license and instruction for flying drones. On the credit pathway, students can earn an associate of science degree with an emphasis in aviation and transfer to a university for a bachelor’s degree. WCCS Associate Dean of Learning Lula Snowden says, “We’re excited and committed to providing high-quality educational opportunities that will prepare our students for the high-wage, high-demand opportunities in the aviation field.”

ALEXANDER CITY, Ala. – When Demito Thomas enrolled in Central Alabama Community College’s Skills for Success program, he saw an opportunity for a fresh start. With determination and the right training, he transformed his career prospects and secured his dream job.

“The Skills for Success program allowed me to learn new skills, earn certifications, and gain the hands-on experience needed to stand out in the workforce. I’m so grateful for the opportunity CACC gave me,” Thomas said.

Before joining the program, Thomas faced challenges finding stable employment due to a lack of specialized training. However, Central Alabama Community College’s combination of online instruction and practical learning provided him with the skills necessary for a career in construction.

The Skills for Success initiative offers certifications in fields such as heavy equipment operation, commercial driving (CDL), and industrial maintenance. Thomas’s dedication led him to earn his Skid Steer operation certification, which ultimately helped him secure a position at Gary Ingram Grading and Paving.

“Demito is a perfect example of how the Skills for Success program helps individuals and businesses,” said Jeff Harte, HR and Safety Director for Gary Ingram Grading and Paving. “It allows us to hire work-ready employees eager to grow and better themselves. We brought Demito on board, and within a short time, he showed how well he could transition from the training to the job. His work ethic is unmatched, and we’ve already seen how he’s taken on more responsibilities and advanced within the company.”

Thomas’s strong performance earned him a promotion, an indication of both his skills and determination.

“I’m grateful to Gary Ingram for giving me a chance when others wouldn’t,” Thomas shared. “The opportunity they provided has allowed me to prove myself and build a career. The Skills for Success program gave me the foundation, and now I can continue to grow in my role.”

Thomas’s success story shows the impact of workforce development initiatives, proving that with training and perseverance, career advancement is more than possible.

Monday marks a milestone for Alabama’s technical education as sixteen students from across the state prepare to compete in the first-ever Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) competition at the Alabama SkillsUSA state championships. The three-day event, running April 21-23, represents over a year of planning and collaboration between the ACCS Innovation Center, Thompson Tractor Company, and dozens of high schools and career tech centers throughout Alabama.

“This all started with a phone call about a year and a half ago,” said the ACCS Innovation Center’s Career Readiness Manager Matt Heaton. “Several high school career tech centers reached out asking if we could help make heavy equipment operation an official SkillsUSA competition for Alabama students.”

After receiving approval from the SkillsUSA board in January, the ACCS Innovation Center formed a competition committee and began preparing for this month’s event. The competition is designed around two of the center’s Skills for Success courses: Skid Steer and Excavator Operation. Students completed these Skills for Success courses in partnership with their local community colleges.

For students, the path to Monday’s competition requires dedication and specialized training. Each competitor had to earn credentials in both skid steer and excavator operation through the ACCS Innovation Center’s courses, then win their local chapter competitions to advance to the state level. If they win Monday, they can represent Alabama at the SkillsUSA national championships and potentially advance to the world championships—a first for Alabama in the heavy equipment category.

Brody Buchana, a student who will compete in Alabama SkillsUSA, said the Skills for Success experience was a great way to pick up new skills tied to the construction industry. “Thank you for organizing the classes and allowing us to showcase our talents and compete at the state level,” he said.

The sixteen competitors representing thirteen schools across Alabama:

Beyond the trophies and recognition, participants stand to gain valuable career opportunities. The competition attracts numerous industry representatives who attend specifically to scout emerging talent.

“Many competitors will walk away with college scholarships and job offers from industry partners based on their performance,” noted Matt Heaton. “This competition creates direct pathways from classroom to career for these students.”

For more information about the ACCS Innovation Center’s Skills for Success courses, visit https://trainforalabama.com. To learn more about Alabama SkillsUSA, visit https://alskillsusa.org.

The Alabama Community College System’s Innovation Center diligently works to fulfill the popular demands of business and industry in Alabama, offering rapid, industry-recognized credentialed training through its Skills for Success program and hosted by the state’s community colleges. 

Fiber optic technician and installer training has been among the most successful Skills for Success programs since it was introduced, enrolling more than 2,500 individuals, and complementing Alabama Governor Kay Ivey’s initiative to expand high-speed internet across the state. 

Brantley native Parker Odom is among those individuals. 

Odom, 24, earned a bachelor’s degree in applied health sciences at a four-year university after initially taking dual enrollment courses in high school though Lurleen B. Wallace Community College (LBW) in Andalusia. 

Odom worked for industrial suppliers after graduation and thrived. However, he didn’t find satisfaction in certain areas of his career. 

“I didn’t like sitting behind the desk for most of the day. I felt I hit a wall because I like to be outside and work with my hands,” Odom said.    

Odom took a career gamble and attended fiber optic training courses, hosted by LBW. Upon completion of the course, Odom had a new job offer in less than a month.  

“I immediately enjoyed the course once I took it. It challenged my critical thinking and motor skills. I knew between that and being able to work with my hands it was a good fit,” Odom said. “I was nervous about not liking it and potentially losing a steady job I previously had, but it’s been a great decision. You can’t dwell on bad outcomes. You’ve got to go for it.” 

Odom is currently working in Ozark, contracted as a drop install technician for Heritage FG, a Chattanooga, Tennessee-based company. 

Among other duties, Odom’s job consists of bringing the fiber optic line from the pole to inside a customer’s home and installing the broadband equipment. 

“This is a career I envision myself enjoying for a long time. It’s very rewarding,” Odom said. 

Fiber optic technical and installer training has been among the popular Skills for Success programs at LBW. 

According to LBW Workforce Coordinator Jeanni Sanders, the college has hosted 18 fiber optic labs and 78 high school students since its debut. Labs are offered at high schools and at local businesses for those interested, including on the weekends.   

Like most Skills for Success courses, fiber optic technician installer training is initially offered online, so individuals can work at their own pace. Upon completing the online portion, students complete lab work at an Alabama community college. Fiber optic training covers best practices and fundamental principles behind basic data and voice transmission via fiber optic cable, as well as installation and termination techniques. Students learn how to identify fiber types, recognize various connectors used in fiber installation and install, terminate, splice and test multimode or single-mode fiber optic networks according to existing standards. Skills such as customer service, communication, leadership and attention to detail and time management are taught. 

Andy Willis, Director of Telecom Services for Covington Electric Co-Op and Buzz Broadband, is grateful the fiber optic training has been available for those in the Andalusia area. His company has sponsored training opportunities at LBW.  

“Fiber optic training is a very specialized field. It’s vital to us to hire people from this community. The labs are a great way to learn if a student is interested in the field. They learn how to splice fiber optic cables and how to put fiber ends on them. They’re learning about the actual fiber and connection,” Willis said.

Lurleen B. Wallace and the Covington County School District have maintained a steady partnership for nearly a decade. The Skills for Success trainings offered at the college, including fiber optics, have benefitted students from four high schools. 

“Skills for Success has already been very positive for our community, and we’re thankful LBW and Covington Electric partnered to help offer fiber optics for our students. Our students don’t realize they have a skill until we present it to them. They want a future. You can take an ounce of inspiration and motivate a mile of potential,” said Chris Thomasson, the Career Tech and Federal Program Director for the Covington County School District.

For more information about fiber optics and other training opportunities available through the ACCS Innovation Center click the link below.

Butler County Board of Education is short of school bus drivers, leaving current drivers stretched to the limit to service each child on their bus route. Some drivers drive double routes and have trouble taking time off because of the lack of substitute drivers.

LBW is offering assistance to school districts to help fill these vacancies. LBW offers future drivers access to the training that they need at a 99% graduation rate.

The Entry Level Driver Training is an online course within the Alabama Community College System which each bus driver must complete. LBW provides hopeful school bus drivers with the ELDT training.

All at little to no cost to the applicant.

Small businesses are the backbone of Alabama’s economy. They make up 99 percent of businesses in the state and employ nearly half of its workforce, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. They drive innovation, shape our communities, and create jobs.

However, many of our Main Street businesses are struggling to find skilled workers.

A recent report from my organization, the National Federation of Independent Business, NFIB, found that 35 percent of small business owners nationwide had job openings they could not fill. In January, 52 percent of small businesses were hiring or trying to hire, but nearly half of them found few or no qualified applicants. Twenty-four percent reported only a few qualified applicants, while 23 percent said they had none.

That echoes what I’m hearing from small businesses here in Alabama. One reason for this labor shortage is that many Alabamians aren’t in the workforce.

The state Department of Labor says about 57 percent of working-age adults participate in the labor force, well below the national average of 62 percent. Small business owners feel the impact every day—positions stay open, current employees are overworked, and growth is limited by the lack of skilled workers.

As state director for NFIB, I know how critical workforce development is to small business success. When businesses can’t find workers with the right skills, they struggle to compete and grow. Unfortunately, most small businesses don’t have the time or resources to train new employees from scratch.

Thankfully, Alabama’s small businesses have a strong partner in the Alabama Community College System, ACCS. Community colleges provide education and training that prepare workers for real-world jobs—quickly and effectively.

One standout program is the ACCS Innovation Center, which offers Skills for Success courses. These short, non-credit programs are designed with input from industries to meet workforce needs. In as little as two weeks, participants can earn industry-recognized skills at no cost. For small business owners, this creates a pipeline of job-ready workers without the high costs of on-the-job training.

The idea is simple: Main Street businesses should focus on running their operations, not training workers from the ground up. ACCS understands this and has built programs to help. Whether it’s preparing new workers or teaching existing employees new skills, these courses allow small businesses to focus on growth instead of struggling to fill essential positions.

Beyond the Innovation Center, Alabama’s community colleges support workers at every stage of their careers. Whether someone is earning a GED, getting a technical certification, pursuing an associate degree, or retraining for a new industry, our community colleges offers flexible education to meet Alabama’s workforce needs.

By investing in education, training, and industry partnerships, ACCS does more than help individuals—it strengthens Alabama’s small businesses and, in turn, the state’s economy. For small business owners and employees alike, the Alabama Community College System isn’t just a place to learn—it’s a partner in success.

From Jefferson State Community College

Free workforce training on the operation of skid steer and other heavy equipment is now available at Jefferson State’s Chilton-Clanton Campus thanks to a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission and funding from Skills for Success. The training is open to local companies and also the community at large.

“For those entering the construction industry, quality skills training is not just a requirement — it’s a vital foundation for safety and efficiency,” Dean of Workforce Education Leah Bigbee said. “By investing in comprehensive training programs, we empower our trainees with the knowledge and hands-on experience they need to excel in their careers and contribute to a safer, more productive work environment.”

The heavy equipment training includes two parts — Online Theory Training, which can be completed at your own pace, and Behind the Wheel Training, which takes two days each for the skid steer, bulldozer and excavator.

Participants must be at least 16 years of age or older, and lab dates will be shared with students upon completion of the online portion of the course. Leading industry partners on this project include Dunn Construction, Saiia and Chilton County Contractors among others.

“We are grateful for our industry partner support on this program and welcome our company partners to send their employees for upskilling as well as the community at large to attend to receive vital skills development,” Training Coordinator Robert Tellis said.

This training is made possible by the Appalachian Regional Commission through the Regionally Aligned Priorities in Delivering Skills (RAPIDS) grant to Jefferson State Community College. The ARC plays a vital role in fostering economic development and enhancing workforce skills across the Appalachian region.

As a division of the Alabama Community College System, the ACCS Innovation Center is committed to helping individuals and improving Alabama’s economic strength through accessible and innovative training programs. These programs are designed to address the skills gap and prepare Alabamians for a variety of in-demand careers. The courses offered through Skills for Success are tailored specifically for Alabamians, with the goal of providing quick, industry-recognized training in high-demand career fields. By doing so, the program aims to create a skilled workforce that will benefit the state’s economy.

For more information, contact the Center for Workforce Education at Jefferson State at 205- 856-7710 or [email protected].