West Alabama Works to grow modern manufacturing program with increase in state funding

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WBRC) – West Alabama will lead modern manufacturing efforts in schools around the state.

The state legislature recently approved a financial boost that will help a group in that part part of the state coordinate training for students for years to come.

Millions of dollars from the state’s education trust fund will pay for West Alabama Works to train high school instructors in modern manufacturing. The state allocated an additional $1.5 million to expand modern manufacturing classes in our schools. bringing the total to nearly $2.5 million.

West Alabama Works has been contracted to run modern manufacturing training programs statewide in K-12 schools.

That training includes working with instructors and showing them creative ways to teach the trade to students. It’s relatively new in career tech programs.

Modern manufacturing courses tie those students in with jobs when they finish the program.

“Our students can come in that two-year program, four semesters, and they come out with a job, a possible AAS degree, seven to 10 stackable credits,” explained Donny Jones, Executive Director of West Alabama Works. “But, most importantly, they’ll be making great money.”

More than 31 Alabama schools have modern manufacturing programs or will have them by Fall of 2024.

Nearly 1,700 students in Alabama are enrolled in high school modern manufacturing programs, according to Jones.

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