MUSCLE SHOALS – Industry leaders and area legislators joined together today (Friday) to unveil the many opportunities resulting from Alabama’s new dual enrollment legislation. Dr. Humphrey Lee of Northwest Shoals Community College introduced a new statewide program that will allow students to attend local high schools and Northwest Shoals simultaneously on funds provided by area employers. The idea is that our local employers grow a skilled labor force that will be available to work in the most in-demand jobs. The graduates of the program will be trained to join the workforce in a number of different skill levels from a basic High School degree, to 2 and 4 year college degrees, depending on the level of training the students wish to pursue.
The new legislation, which was signed into law by Governor Bentley this past March, allows local employees to donate funds for career tech dual enrollment and receive tax credits of 50% of their contributions. Also, donors can direct up to 80% of their donation to a specific training program that would directly impact their local needs.
In short the legislation addresses the shortage of qualified craftsmen for industrial and manufacturing companies and provides them with a better skilled workforce needed to make Alabama companies more profitable and competitive. For the Students, this new legislation provides greater opportunities for a seamless transition from high school to college to the workforce, where they are better prepared for high-paying and high-demand careers.
Northwest Shoals Community College benefits from this new law. It provides the school with additional support to the students, businesses and communities it serves by increasing both educational and workforce training and increases enrollment in the College’s Career Tech programs.
