February 21, 2022 Group Watch: Alabama Community College System Opens Innovation Center
The Alabama Community College System Innovation Center launched the first of several industry-specific programs to help students find immediate employment.The Innovation Center is a $10 million investment made to rapidly train workers for the state’s highest-demand industries. The training includes short-term classes that students can start from anywhere in the state and finish with an in-person lab in a regional location. Once students complete the training, they are job-ready and are awarded a credential and an opportunity to earn more certifications at their local community college. The Innovation Center has already successfully collaborated with the Alabama Tourism Department to help workers train for and find jobs in the state’s $16 billion hospitality industry, thanks to a $1 million grant from Governor Ivey. All graduates of the pilot training project hosted by Coastal Community College were matched with jobs, and 100 percent of students were hired upon completion of their training.
