MUSCLE SHOALS-How many times each school year do teachers here the nagging questions from their students, “Why do I have to know this?” and “When will I ever use this again?” Finally, they will have an answer!
The Shoals Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Northwest-Shoals Community College, is again offering the Shoals Summer Technology Institute for Educators, for six days over the next two weeks, June 10 – 12 and 17 – 19. The Institute offers professional development opportunities for middle and high school math and science teachers and counselors to learn about local career opportunities and how math and science are used in the workforce, especially in technical careers and within industry.
Twenty-nine public and private school educators from six counties in Alabama and Tennessee make up the 2014 class.
The class will visit northwest Alabama businesses and industries for tours to see various technical skills in use and hear from the employers concerning their workforce challenges, the increasing demand for and decreasing supply of technically skilled workers, as well as the career paths and salary ranges to which these skills lead.
Industry tours include TVA Browns Ferry Nuclear plant, Alabama Robotics Technology Park, TVA Power Service Shops, G&G Steel, Wilson Lock, Shoals Hospital, TASUS, Applied Chemical Technologies, SCA Tissue, NAVISTAR, Wise Alloys, Southwire “12 for Life” and Shoals Entrepreneurial Center.
The educators will also tour the technical programs at Northwest-Shoals, learning about the levels of math and science and other skills each requires. Technical programs will include Machine Tool, Welding, Industrial Systems Maintenance / Plastics, Nursing / EMS, Cosmetology, Carpentry, Electricity, Electronics, Auto Technologies, Design Engineering and the AIDT / NAVISTAR Assessment Center.
The program will be six fun days of learning about the exciting careers in technical fields, while networking with other educators and business leaders. Counselors will learn how to better advise students in the career / technical fields as well as information on industry needs and jobs in northwest Alabama, as well as what is offered through NW-SCC’s dual-enrollment, credit and non-credit technical training programs.
This program would not be possible without grants from the Alabama Office of Workforce Development and the Rural Alabama Initiative through the Lauderdale County Cooperative Extension Office, and generous contributions from Northwest-Shoals Community College, Wise Alloys, TVA’s Power Service Shops, TVA’s Browns Ferry Nuclear, and Virtual Village Classroom.
For more information about this program contact Stephanie Newland, (256) 764-466
MEDIA RELEASE/SHOALS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE/STEPHANIE NEWLAND
