MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Ed Castile, director of Alabama Industrial Development Training, will retire Tuesday after 33 years leading the state’s workforce recruitment organization.
In his more than three decades at the helm, AIDT has become a globally recognized entity. Its employee-readiness programs are a significant incentive offered to industries that choose Alabama.
From automakers to defense contractors to advanced manufacturers, AIDT helps prepare Alabamians for high-quality jobs in sectors across the state. Castile has helped build many of those programs, Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair said.
“When Commerce talks to potential industries about what the state has to offer, AIDT is always at the top of the list,” McNair said. “And that’s because of the work of Ed and his team.
“His work has helped add billions of dollars to the state’s economy, improve communities and given hundreds of thousands of Alabamians the skills needed to be successful in quality careers.”
Kevin Taylor this week becomes the new AIDT director. Taylor has also been with AIDT for more than 30 years, most recently as deputy director.
Since 1971, AIDT has trained about 1.06 million job seekers for 5,822 companies across the state. In addition to the main office in Montgomery, AIDT operates seven training centers plus several additional satellite locations throughout Alabama.
Castile joined AIDT in 1993 after leading Tennessee’s job-training program. Technology advancements have been the biggest change in his three-plus decades, Castile said. Cell phones were uncommon and the Internet was new when he started at AIDT.
But the program’s mission and focus have remained the same: Listen to industry’s needs and deliver a skilled workforce.
Even within the same industry, training is specialized by employer.
“We have five car plants in Alabama, and they all make cars a different way,” Castile said.
Many of AIDT’s recruits come directly from high school or the community college system. The state’s education systems are doing a great job with career technical education programs, Castile said.
And AIDT provides additional site-specific training. For example, a graduate with a welding certification learns Austal USA’s specialized welding process for building its aluminum ships through AIDT, Castile said.
Created by an act of the Alabama Legislature in 1971, AIDT was originally under the Alabama Community College System. In 2012, it became part of Commerce.
And its portfolio is larger than most know, Castile said. In addition to skilled trades employees, AIDT recruits and trains for back office and finance positions and IT careers. It will work with Eli Lilly to staff its planned $6 billion pharmaceutical facility in Huntsville.
While AIDT’s economic impact can be measured in billions of dollars, there’s also a personal impact, Castile said. He’s often told his staff to look at the parking lots of a new industry they’ve helped open.
“There are 10-, 15-year-old vehicles in the employee lot,” he said. But go back in a year or two.
“It’s newer vehicles, and maybe a few trucks have a shiny bass boat behind them,” he said. “But most importantly, employees have dental insurance and can get their teeth fixed. If their kid has an accident on the school playground, they can go to the hospital and know they’re covered.
“To me, that’s economic development.”
Taylor promoted
McNair said watching Ed leave the office for the last time will be difficult.
“He’s family to many of us,” she said. “But Kevin has the experience, vision and relationships to seamlessly continue AIDT’s mission. We’re grateful he’s here.”
Taylor began working at AIDT when he was a junior at Troy University. Other previous posts include project manager and training manager.
“I am both honored and humbled by the opportunity to serve as AIDT’s next director,” Taylor said. “Ed Castile has built an incredible legacy over the past 33 years, and I am grateful for his mentorship, leadership and friendship.”
Looking ahead, his focus will be on building upon the strong foundation that already exists, Taylor said.
“We will continue to strengthen our partnerships with industry, education and workforce organizations while also addressing emerging needs in areas such as advanced manufacturing, electric vehicles, life sciences, automation, artificial intelligence and workforce participation,” he said.
“At its core, AIDT’s mission remains the same: providing workforce solutions that help Alabama companies succeed and creating opportunities for Alabama citizens. I am excited about the future and the opportunity to lead an organization that has played such an important role in my own career and in our state’s economic growth.”
