THE SHOALS-Hollywood and the Film Industry; Silicone Valley and the Tech Industry; Nashville and Country Music; these places are prime examples of historically successful industry clusters. In North Alabama, we are working to do the same for Advanced Manufacturing, Healthcare, and Construction. Our goal is to create a forum for these industries, where they can collaborate in a way that will help their businesses address similar workforce needs, expand existing operations, and recruit other related businesses to our region.
The Cluster Theory
Economic Development research has proven that strong industry clusters in a region enhance the growth opportunities for all partners involved. This collaborative environment most often builds local resiliency among key stakeholders. Adam Himber, Existing Industry Coordinator for Shoals Economic Development Authority and Lauderdale County Representative on the North AlabamaWorks! Board of Directors expressed “that clusters are an integral part of identifying both current and future workforce needs for our companies. This is important in developing programs that specifically meet those needs for both current companies and those looking to locate in the area.”
Cluster Development in Region 1
Over the last year, North AlabamaWorks! has been working to create and expand industry clusters for our region. In December 2016, the North AlabamaWorks! Board of Directors created three cluster groups in which to start focusing our efforts. These groups are Advanced Manufacturing, Construction, and Healthcare.
The clusters began formation with kick-off meetings in March 2017. In these initial meetings, businesses began to discuss their many needs and focus on what could be done to address them.
Executive Director of North AlabamaWorks!, Micah Bullard says that “this is the beginning of a paradigm shift in that this is the first time we have as a region had all parties involved with workforce development at the table. This new process of working together will only enhance both education and industry by providing specific skills needed to our ever growing and changing workforce.”
Results
The first initiatives that the clusters undertook in their initial meetings were to identify any gaps in training or further training opportunities that needed to be address in our region using the Alabama Community College System(ACCS)’s Industry Certification Initiative grant funds. In order to complete this process, the clusters developed what we have come to call “Requests for Training (RFTs)”. These RFTs specifically outline the needs to be addressed, curriculum to be included, outcome reporting, and marketing strategies for these programs.
The RFTs were then sent to the Region 1’s seven community colleges asking for programmatic proposals. These requests were met with great response, with 7 new training programs proposed. When reviewing for funding recommendations, these proposals were made the priority for funding this next year and was granted by ACCS. We look forward to the results of these programs, and their continuation as we work to create a better pipeline of skilled workers in our region.
Our clusters are currently working to address some more immediate, existing workforce needs utilizing another source of funding through ACCS named the Existing Industry Training Program (EITP). This past year, several companies in Colbert and Lauderdale counties pooled their resources to participate in an EITP for injection molding training. By doing so, Northwest Shoals Community College provided training to 30 existing employees for the participating businesses at relatively no additional cost to the employers other than the current wages and benefits already being provided to the employees. Troy Van Fleet, HR Director for North American Lighting in Muscle Shoals stated that “Our experience with the Injection Molding Training Program conducted by Northwest Shoals Community College was very favorable. Our newer Molding Technicians found it to be very helpful. The hands-on training they received helped to solidify or increase their understanding of the Injection Molding process. We believe this gave us a better foundation to build upon going forward.” This type of partnership, which is certainly beneficial for all involved, is exactly what we hope to see more of throughout Region 1 as we continue to grow these clusters.
Get Involved in a Cluster
North AlabamaWorks! will be holding our next Industry Cluster meetings in January, and all Businesses and Industry partners are encouraged to come out and participate. Clusters primarily meet bi-monthly, and meetings last about an hour and a half. More information about these meetings can be found on our website www.northalabamaworks.com.
Media Release/Stephanie McCulloch
Assistant Director, North AlabamaWorks!
