Employer & Job Seeker Resources & News (updated bi-weekly)
Leave us your comments below; we would love to hear from you!
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Essays are 600 - 750 words, submitted by 6th, 7th & 8th graders,
with ideas to improve their communities.
Judges Registration deadline Jan. 17.
Judges Training Jan. 24 or 27 & posted for future reference.
Judging is completed online, Feb. 6 - 12, at your convenience.
2 - 3 hour commitment is requested, to review 10 or more essays.
Register as an Essay Judge HERE
More information HERE
Scholarship Opportunities?
Inquiring minds want to know!
Does your company, organization, school or club
offer scholarship opportunities for Shoals area students?
If so, please share the information at the link below,
so we may share it with our local schools and families.
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ShoalsWORKS!Workforce Challenges
SURVEY
We appreciate employers' input concerning your workforce challenges,to help us provide programming &/or resources which best address the Shoals Business Community's needs.
Please complete the very brief “Workforce Issues” survey linked here, or scan the QR code below.
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https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Workforce-Issues
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also ...
Post a link to your business' career page for free on Shoals Workforce Resources job board.
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Shoals Workforce Resources Website
www.shoalsworkforceresources.com
A one-stop shop of links to a plethora of helpful workforce resources for Businesses,
Free Quarterly Wage Survey, Free Job Posting, Job Seekers, Career Education, Skills & Interest Assessments,
Training Opportunities, Workforce Incentives, Demographics, Networking and more.
Job Seekers!
100's of links to NW Alabama companies' career pages.
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ShoalsWORKS! Council Meetings
The ShoalsWORKS! Council aims to connect Employers and Training Providers regularly, fostering collaboration and
sharing of best practices. Our goal is to enhance cost-effective training opportunities, resulting in a more skilled and
valuable workforce for both new and incumbent employees.
The Council is open to all Chamber-member businesses.
Meetings are held on the 4th Tues. of the month (quarterly) Jan., April, July & Oct.
For more information, contact snewland@shoalschamber.com
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Alabama Interactive Occupational Employment and Wage Survey
Estimates are adjusted to reflect the most recent available quarter's
Employment Cost Index (ECI)
Interactive Reports - searchable by Area, Sector,
Occupation, Wage Level, etc.
(Alphabetical Occupations, Occupational Group Detail,
Occupations by Industry & Bubble Chart)​
Printable Reports (PDF), Searchable by Area:​
Florence Metro
NW Region
Statewide
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NEW!
Alabama Childcare Tax Credit
an employer tax credit, a childcare facility tax credit
and a nonprofit childcare provider grant program
As part of the "Working for Alabama" workforce legislation, Alabama's new Childcare Tax Credit was signed into law in May.
(from AlabamaReflector.com and APNews.com)
The tax credit is part of a package of bills designed to address low workforce participation in the state. Alabama’s workforce participation rate in March 2024 was 57.7%, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. The national rate in April was 62.7%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Experts have cited a lack of access to child care as one of the reasons for the low rate.
The Childcare Tax Credit (HB 358) establishes an employer tax credit, a childcare facility tax credit and a nonprofit childcare provider grant program which aims to encourage employers to help fund childcare for employees. The bill passed 31-0 in the Alabama Senate.
The proposal also would provide tax credits and grants to providers, with incentives aimed at expanding the availability of care and improving quality.
Read the full article HERE​
Toyota-Mazda, Childcare Employment Benefit in Alabama article HERE
TOOTRIS: Childcare Employment Benefit Option HERE
Childcare Employment Benefit ROI Example HERE
Childcare Cost vs. Employment article HERE
Business Case for Early Childcare Investment HERE
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Tootris is endorsed by
Alabama's Governor's Office of Education & Workforce Transformation
Child Care Benefits
How Companies are Achieving Positive ROI
with Child Care Benefits
Watch HR experts at leading companies such as MATA, ALPLA & TBAKI share
their perspectives on the significance of Child Care Benefits in their workplace
"By partnering with TOOTRiS, we're appealing to a new generation of workers who care about
the community and want to work for an organization that cares about them."
Bacarra Mauldin - MATA, Deputy Chief Executive Officer
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Group Health Insurance
for All Businesses
through the Chambers of Commerce Association of Alabama (CCAA)
Contact the Shoals Chamber of Commerce for more information
256-764-4661
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NWSCC FAME Signing Day!
24 Students sign-on with 10 sponsoring companies
Read more here
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Constellium’s Muscle Shoals facility receives
Department of Defense grant to increase casting capacity
by 300 million pounds annually
Read more here
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Investment firm launching aerospace hub in Northwest Alabama
CHEROKEE, Alabama — A new hub of aerospace manufacturing is on the horizon in rural Cherokee, Alabama.
AE Industrial Partners is moving forward with its plans to transform the former Freightcar industrial facility in Colbert County into a high-tech center of innovation for aerospace and defense companies.
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Attention Students & Job Seekers!
Using your skills, credentials, and experiences to match you to the next step in your career pathway.
For those seeking new skills to become competitive in the marketplace, the Alabama Talent Triad provides recommended learning, apprenticeships, and upskilling opportunities as well as resources for scholarships in order to help support continued learning.
By maintaining a Digital Wallet, Students and Jobseekers can build their Learning & Employment Records (LER) through retirement at no cost. The State of Alabama is committed to supporting the career aspirations of all Alabamians.
All it takes is one decision to register for a state-funded program that can ensure learning and employment opportunities as long as you’re willing to participate. It doesn’t take much to get started. Take a look at these short, informational videos to see what you’ll gain from the Alabama Talent Triad.
Alabama's Skills-Based Hiring Economy Explained
Introduction to the NEW Alabama Talent Triad
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Alabama Registered Apprenticeship
(non-union)
Why would an employer be interested in an apprenticeship?
- Availability of skilled workers is low.
- Apprenticeship can help you create workers with exactly the skills needed.
- Candidates lack real-world experience.
- Apprentices get direct experience with your company.
- Consistency of worker training is low.
- Employers drive the work processes and standards apprentices must meet.
- Skill requirements for workers continues to increase.
- Learning in your facility means learning on exactly the equipment and processes used in your business.
- Recruiting workers is difficult.
- Letting workers know you are going to grow them into a career employee encourages positive culture and applications.
- The most skilled and experienced people on the job are reaching retirement age.
- The mentorship associated with an apprenticeship program connects veteran workers directly with the next generation.
QUALITY - Registered apprenticeships provide employers with a consistently high quality of workers.
INCENTIVES - Registration provides employers access to Alabama tax credits incentivizing
apprenticeship training.
CREDENTIALS - Apprentices gain a nationally-recognized credential upon completion of training.
RETENTION - Federal studies show 91% of apprentices stay with the employers who trained them.
ADVANCEMENT - Apprenticeships are an excellent way to up-skill incumbent workers.
STRUCTURE - Put a framework on training you are already doing.
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Resources to Hire & Train Veterans
Find multiple resources to hire and train Veterans to fill
your job openings on the Shoals Workforce Resources website
Veteran Hiring Resources
Veteran Training Resources
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Exploring Entrepreneurship
Accepting Registrations Now
Throughout 2024, Builders + Backers is offering free workshops open to any Alabama resident interested in exploring entrepreneurship.
Offered in partnership with the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA), with support from Innovate Alabama and the Alabama Community College System, residents are able to participate virtually or join in-person at select locations.
Stay tuned as we unveil the dates and times for additional workshops. For specifics on the webinar scheduled in a city near you, please continue to refer to the application for updated details..
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Attention Manufacturers
FREE Nationwide Supply Chain Database
Find more information HERE
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Talent acquisition: Build or buy?
When it comes to meeting your organization’s talent needs, you face a crucial decision:
Do you build the talent you need internally, or do you acquire it externally?
It's a question that every forward-thinking organization must grapple with. While a combination of both approaches is often necessary, a proactive focus on early talent recruitment
can yield long-term benefits for your organization. Consider the following examples:
- The Stark Education Partnership (Ohio) partners with local schools to build a pipeline of skilled talent that wants to stay in their community after graduation.
- 47G (Utah) is innovating its recruitment strategies to amplify career opportunities in the aerospace, defense, and cybersecurity industries with best-fit, emerging talent.
- The CREATE Foundation (Mississippi) provides students with real-world experience in career pathways that align with students’ aptitudes and interests.
These examples illustrate the transformative power of talent development initiatives. By investing in proactive recruitment, education partnerships, and skills training, organizations can not only fill immediate talent gaps but also cultivate a thriving workforce poised for long-term success.
YouScience Resource Center & Case Studies
YouScience Employer Spotlight
More About YouScience Skills Assessment System
How to Close the STEM Career Exposure Gap for Black Students - Report
Customized Workforce Training
~ at No Cost ~
For more information, contact Andrew Robbins
andrew.robbins@nwscc.edu, 256-331-5218
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Call for more information & dates.
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RECRUIT from COLLEGES around the State & Region
CONNECT DIRECTLY
to over 40 College & University Career Centers & Employer Services pages HERE.
Recruit from colleges in The Shoals, the State & the SE Region
for your next full- or part-time employees, interns, co-ops or apprentices.
Each College listed is linked directly to its Career Center.
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Connect with Your Future Workforce
through Shoals area Career Tech Educators
Colbert County Schools
new high school internship program or improving an existing one.
Learn more HERE
Download the Info Sheet HERE
Register for the Support Group HERE
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Support our local schools!
DONATTIONS ARE ALWAYS NEEDED & APPRECIATED!
All donations are tax-deductible, made to the
Shoals Area Chamber Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
Cash for new supplies, gently used school & office supplies, equipment,
furniture, etc. are needed to assist our educators in the classroom.
For more information, contact:
Mary Beshears, (256) 710-1436, jbeshears@yahoo.com
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Shoals Workforce Resources Website
Job Boards
North Alabama Companies
Local Educational Institutions
Local Governments
Child Development Centers
Military Careers
Employment & Temp Agencies
Local, State & National Job Boards
Find many other job search resources at:
https://www.shoalsworkforceresources.com/
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Statewide Job Board
Alabamaworks.alabama.gov is a great FREE resource for Alabama businesses & citizens.
- Post jobs
- Search Resumes
- Look for jobs (searchable by zip code or city)
- Research careers and pathways
- Information to help you move your career forward
For more information, contact:
Alabama Career Center (Sheffield)
Sheffield@alcc.alabama.gov
(256) 383‑5610
500 South Montgomery Ave., Suite 102, Sheffield
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This monthly webinar series offered by Auburn University’s Office of Professional
and Continuing Education at no cost to participants.
The series features experts from a variety of sectors including education, business, industry, public service,
finance, and presents information and skills essential for navigating today’s ever-changing world.
Upcoming Webinars
Past Webinars