MONTGOMERY-Governor Robert Bentley has announced a $22,092 grant to prepare Governor Bentley announces grant to expand welding program for Winston County high schools students for careers in a high-demand, high-paying vocation while improving the state’s workforce readiness.
Funds from the Appalachian Regional Commission will be used to expand and upgrade the welding program at Winston County Technical Center and enable students at four county high schools to be career-ready after graduation.
“Alabama’s workforce is second to none, and programs like those offered at Winston County Technical Center are essential in helping to train high school students to enter the workforce,” Bentley said. “I am pleased to provide this ARC grant to assist Winston County students with hands-on training that will have a lasting impact on our workforce and economy.”
By constructing five new welding bays and purchasing new equipment, the technical program will train more students and provide them with hands-on experience and the opportunities to obtain certifications often required by employers.
Bentley notified Winston County School Superintendent Greg Pendley that the grant had been approved. The grant, administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, is being matched with $5,523 in local funds.
ARC is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 420 counties, including 39 in Alabama, across the Appalachian Region. The agency’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the Region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation.
“Having a workforce that is career ready is critical to economic development,” ADECA Director Jim Byard Jr. said. “It is through ADECA’s strong partnerships with the ARC and local community leaders that enable the agency to provide funding where it is most needed. I support this grant and the job opportunities it will provide the students and future workforce of Winston County.”
ADECA manages a range of programs that support law enforcement, economic development, recreation, energy conservation and water resource management.
Media Release/Office of alabsama Governor Robert Bentley
