Alabama metro ranks No. 1 for manufacturing jobs, analysis says
The Talladega-Sylacauga Micropolitan Statistical Area was rated the best place in the U.S. for manufacturing jobs in a detailed analysis by SmartAsset, a financial technology company that studied data on nearly 500 cities. SmartAsset singled out the high concentration of well-paying manufacturing jobs in Talladega-Sylacauga area in its analysis. Here’s what the firm says about…

Alabama community colleges to offer manufacturing credentials
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — Governor Kay Ivey announced today that the Alabama Community College System (ACCS) will begin offering nationally recognized credentials in manufacturing skills at all its colleges this spring. The program, in partnership with the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC), will make Alabama the first state in the nation to offer the industry credentials…

Job training programs fuel growth of Alabama auto industry
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Alabama’s worker training efforts have helped build the state auto industry into a juggernaut, and the growth shows no signs of slowing. Worker training agency AIDT’s success can be attributed to its talented staff, as well as state leaders who provide resources and flexibility for them to do their jobs well, said…

AIDT teams with Lockheed Martin for new Alabama training facility
TROY, Alabama – Lockheed Martin has opened a new onsite training at the company’s Pike County Operations site that was made possible with the help of AIDT, the state’s primary workforce development agency. The Advanced Manufacturing & Technology Center is a $2 million project funded by AIDT, which is part of the Alabama Department of…

Gallup: Alabama has nation’s most engaged workforce
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – A new Gallup poll finds that Alabama has the nation’s highest percentage of “engaged” workers who are enthusiastic about their jobs. Gallup’s survey found that 37 percent of Alabama workers are engaged, ahead of Delaware, Kentucky and Louisiana at 36 percent and nine other states at 35 percent. The U.S. average was…

State debuts unified workforce system, AlabamaWorks
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Alabama business, education and workforce training leaders unveiled a new system called “AlabamaWorks” that will seamlessly link employers looking for skilled workers with residents seeking jobs or job training. The AlabamaWorks program aims to set a new standard in workforce development efforts, said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce,…

Apprenticeship Alabama aims to invest in workers
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — A new program approved this year by the Alabama Legislature aims to invest in the state’s top asset when it comes to recruiting new jobs and capital investment: Its workers. Apprenticeship Alabama, which will kick off in January, offers tax credits to participating companies that have qualified apprentices who receive classroom instruction…

Consultants rank Alabama among top business-friendly states
Site selection consultants surveyed by national publication Area Development rank Alabama among the top states for business, pointing to strong workforce development programs, a competitive labor environment, and other pro-business factors. Alabama ranks No. 6 overall in Area Development’s 2016 “Top States for Doing Business” analysis, continuing a long streak near the top of the…

Wiregrass regional job fair to be held at Dothan Civic Center
DOTHAN, Alabama – More than 80 employers are scheduled to participate in a regional job fair from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13, at the Dothan Civic Center. The hiring event is free and open to everyone. The Wiregrass job fair is being hosted by the Alabama Career Center System in partnership with…



