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Workforce News & Resources |
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brought to you by the Shoals Chamber & the ShoalsWORKS! Council  |
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Presented by |
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   EDUCATE   |
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CONGRATULATIONS!
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The March Teacher of the Month awards go to ...  Middle / High School Award AKEEMA RUTLAND English teacher at Deshler High School "I am a dyslexic student and she has helped me so much. If it wasn't for Ms. Rutland I would not pass English."  Elementary Award MORGAN SNODGRASS, 2nd grade teacher at Mars Hill Bible School "She has been absolutely amazing to us year! The kindest, most understanding and patient teacher. She has made learning so much fun for our kids this year. She does a wonderful job staying in communication with parents also. Besides teaching 2nd grade, she is the Robotics team coach and hosted the schools first robotics competition this year, which was successful. She has been a wonderful Christian example and loves our children. She deserves this recognition and more!"  Thank you to our generous TOTM sponsors! |
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formerly Workforce Readiness Institute for Educators |
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ATTENTION EDUCATORS!!  Registration is NOW  OPEN!  June 6 - 9 & 13 - 15 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily |
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Registration in PowerSchool is also be required for PLU and TEAMS. See application for more details. |
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~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Ever hear this from your students?  "Why do I need to know this?" or "When will I ever use this again?" ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Classroom 2 Careers will help you answer those questions with real world examples of how classroom academics are used in real careers with local employers. |
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CREDITS AVAILABLE  1 ALSDE-approved PLU for Administrators  ALSDE-approved TEAMS PD Credit  Up to 56 Contact Hours  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  PRIMARY AUDIENCE  Middle & High School Math & Science Teacher and Counselors and Administrators  Others are welcome to apply  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  Class Limit ~30  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  PERKS  Up to $75 per day stipend paid for those not on contract during the event  Transportation to all tours, meals & snacks provided  Fun experience, networking with peers from other schools.  New excitement about the importance of YOUR JOB as a frontline Workforce Development Professional!  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  REQUIREMENTS  TEAMS &/or Stipend Candidates Submit original career-related lesson plans (Details in registration & class)  PLU Candidates Submit and present to school staff a review of lessons learned Share-out with other PLU candidates in the fall (Details in registration & class) |
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During the program, participants will tour local businesses & industry, see first-hand how technical skills are used in the workplace. They will hear from business leaders about their workforce needs and how you play an important role in developing their future workforce. They will also learn about the immediate and growing need for a highly skilled, intelligent, critical thinking workforce both in the Shoals and beyond.   Tours & presentations are being scheduled now and vary from year to year, but usually include businesses like: TVA Power Service Shops (Muscle Shoals), PROJECTXYZ, North American Lighting, DURA, Walker Family Farms, Spry Mitchell Farm, G&G Steel, Shoals Business Incubator, Helen Keller Hospital, TASUS, Pettus Mechanical & Plumbing, Alabama Robotics Technology Training Park (Decatur), TVA Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant (Athens), United Launch Alliance (Decatur), and others.  |
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Teacher Supply Depot  DONATTIONS  ARE  ALWAYS  NEEDED  &  APPRECIATED!  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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NW AL BEST Robotics
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It's the BEST time of the year again!  Register your middle &/or high school team by May 1 to get a $500 stipend for the primary teacher-sponsor!  All materials to design and build the robot are FREE! No registration fees, ever!  T.E.A.M.S. teacher-sponsors can receive up to 94 hours of Professional Learning Credits through Power School! SAVE THE DATES! Required Events  Kick-Off - September 9, 7 - 9 p.m.  Practice Day - October 19, 4 - 7 p.m.  Game Day - November 4, 8 - 4 p.m. |
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Get to Know Our Career Technical Educators |
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Colbert County Schools Career Coach  Lattoria Jones is the new Career Coach for Colbert County Schools. She and her husband, Kamaron, have a daughter, Kaelyn (4).  While she is fairly new to this position, education has always been near and dear to her heart.  Lattoria worked at UNA for 3 years as a Financial Aid Advisor and Scholarship Specialist and has knowledge of FAFSA’s, scholarships, college applications, and college information in general.  "I have always loved Career Tech Education and the many opportunities it provides for students. I am looking forward to working with more students to prepare them for college and their careers. I plan on assisting with interviews, resume writing, job shadowing, college applications, scholarships and more."  As a Career Coach, Lattoria will help students transition into the workforce or college, as well as also making sure they understand the many resources available to them.  Upcoming Events:
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Lattoria Jones Career Coach Colbert County Schools 256-386-8565 ext. 1213  Click below to check out the Colbert County Schools' Career Technical Center website for more information on the career tech programs offered. |
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Connect with Our CTEs |
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Colbert County Schools
Florence City Schools
Lauderdale County Schools
Muscle Shoals City Schools
Sheffield City Schools
Tuscumbia City Schools
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Business Spotlight |
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David Reed State Farm Tuscumbia   256-383-4782  Years in Business:  15  What is your greatest workforce challenge: Finding employees with conversation skills, understanding of financial decisions, who can work well with the team and have a drive to sell.  Work Atmosphere: Fun team environment with Team and Individual Goals, We celebrate when we hit our goals!  We definitely have a work family mentality.  Types of Positions Employed: Receptionist, Claim Specialist, New Acquisition Sales Rep/Sales Manager, Customer Services Rep/ HR Manager, Current Business/Multi-line Sales Rep  Skills &/or Education Needed: Multi-task, Goal-oriented, Team player  Do you employ high school students: Yes, we’ve had High School Seniors employed as Summer Interns and sometimes as a co-op.  How to apply for Job Openings: David Reed - State Farm Agent (sfagentjobs.com)  Anything else you want folks to know: We love helping our customers and creating fun and meaningful careers for our team members!  Some of our team in the past have continued their careers and become State Farm Agents.  Ask us how! |
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  EQUIP   |
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North AlabamaWorks!
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ATTENTION EMPLOYERS!  Let your workforce needs be heard at the regional and state level!  Take the Needs Assessment Survey for North Alabama Companies  Please complete the Needs Assessment before April 12.  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ |
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Then tune in to the Industry Cluster Meetings (via Zoom):  April 12th Industry Cluster Meetings  This meeting will focus on the region's training requests to the colleges this year, and we would like to have good representation from around the region. We hope it helps to make it convenient for everyone by being virtual.  To provide better opportunity for discussion, the industry clusters will be broken up into two meetings.  8:30-9:30am Meeting Aerospace Automotive Manufacturing Transportation/Logistics  10-11am Meeting Construction Cyber/IT Healthcare Utilities If you are unable to use the RSVP button, please email Stephanie smcculloch@northalabamaworks.com  AGENDA Review of the Survey Results Discuss Potential Regional Solutions (Grants and Resources)  Industry Breakout Sessions Discuss specific needs identified from survey Discuss Industry Specific Solutions and Requests for Training |
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Alabama Technology Network  Click HERE to find ATN's most recent newsletters, Network News, chocked full of Training and Networking Resources.  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  Nominate your picks for Alabama Manufacture of the Year |
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Your Money, Your Life! / Reality Check
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Reality Check / Your Money, Your Life is a personal finance simulation that gives students a taste of what it is like to make ends meet each month. Students are tasked with budgeting based on a given monthly income related to their preferred career choice. The students move through the simulation and “purchase” various needs and wants at different volunteer-staffed stations such as housing, cars, insurance, groceries, clothing, daycare, banking, insurance etc. Two (2) remaining opportunities are coming up to help students learn how their education is connected to their career path, which is connected to their future finances, which is connected to their future quality of life. Join this fun, educational, personal finance simulation and help our future workforce learn how to budget their money!  Your Money, Your Life is a program of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, coordinated by the Lauderdale County office. The Shoals Chamber partners with Extension to recruit volunteers and implement the program. Details of each upcoming event date are listed on the volunteer registration sites linked below: |
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Thursday, April 13, 8:00 - 11:30 a.m. (plus lunch)   Thursday, April 20, 8:30 - 12 noon (plus lunch) Moulton, AL Lawrence Co. High School 8th graders Melinda Smith, 256-974-2464 or Kaci Quails, 256-905-2425   If you know any other adults that would be willing to volunteer, feel free to share this opportunity! For more information, contact:
Lauderdale County Office   For these and other upcoming Your Money Your Life events in one location, CLICK HERE. |
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in partnership with |
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Launch Code Alabama in June;
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Students who complete the program will possess a fundamental understanding of programming concepts, get exposure and hands-on experience with two popular programming languages, and begin to acquire skills necessary to become contributing members of a software development team.  Code Alabama is a 96-hour / eight-week course.  There are 12 scholarships available for the first group of students.   Deadline to apply for a scholarship is March 31.  Classes take place June 5 - July 27. |
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Courtland, AL
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Advanced Manufacturing Technician APPRENTICESHIPÂ PROGRAM
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The Advanced Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship Program (AMTAP) is a United States Department of Labor (USDOL) Registered Apprenticeship. Â The AMTAP program will teach you how to build space flight hardware by providing a phased approach to learning with both classroom and hands-on learning opportunities at our LM Space facility in Courtland, AL. Â No Experience, No problem! This program will teach you everything you need to be successful. Â $15/hr. plus benefits while in the 6-week classroom portion of the apprenticeship program. Â $18.50/hr. upon offer of full-time employment. |
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Application Opens: Â Monday, April 3 Â Zoom Information Session: Â Wednesday, April 5, 1 p.m. Â Application Deadline: Â Monday, April 17 Â Class starts: Â Monday, July 24 |
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   EMPOWER   |
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ShoalsWORKS! Council |
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The Shoals Works Council, convened by The Shoals Chamber, works to guide policy and curriculum to ensure skills held by the local workforce match the needs of employers.  Members include business leaders, educators, training providers and community organizations interested in workforce-related issues.  Those interested in participating in the council may email shoalsworks@shoalschamber.com. |
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Chamber Member Job Board |
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Employers Remember to use your free Job Board benefit to post your job openings. Contact the Chamber if you need assistance. 256-764-4661, shoalsworks@shoalschamber.com  |
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Current Job Listings |
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All-Majors
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Wednesday, April 12, 12 - 3 p.m. |
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The University of North Alabama is excited to announce the return of an all-majors campus wide career fair on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 from 12-3 pm.  We recognize that organizations hire for a variety of disciplines and majors and this will give our students an opportunity to interact with a diverse population of organizations as well as organizations an opportunity to recruit from a diverse population of students.  The event is FREE and will take place in the both the Guillot University Center and the Science and Technology Engineering Building; however, registration will be limited to the first 75 organizations. |
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For more information, contact:    Alabama Career Center (Sheffield)    Sheffield@alcc.alabama.gov    (256) 383‑5610    500 South Montgomery Avenue Suite 102 Sheffield |
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NEWSÂ &Â RESOURCES |
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Network each month with other HR Professionals  Shoals SHRM 2nd Thursday of each Month 11:30 - 1:00 First Metro Bank Pine Street, Florence, AL  Lunch: $12 Members; $15 Non-Members  RSVP to shoals.shrm@gmail.com  Meetings & Events page: |
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Free Training
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Business may be able to save money on their workers’ compensation insurance premium. Most businesses have everything they need in order to take advantage of the savings.  Why pay for someone to come and do trainings when Bradford will do it for FREE.  You can save 5% on your workers’ compensation insurance premium by having:
The goal of this training is to help establish a trusting relationship between employer and employee. Learning what to do and how to help is crucial to our limited workforce. Â Check out the article and guidelines linked below. Â For more information on Bradford's FREEÂ TRAINING contact: Blake Cruttenden Territory Manager M: 256-405-3281 | blakec@bradfordhealth.com |
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~ Employers ~
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YouScience is a science-based, skills assessment to determine students' natural abilities and guide them to educational pathways and local careers that match their God-given talents. When assessed, most students have technical skills they never knew they had! See "Case Studies" below for evidence-based research.  YouScience provides employers a FREE platform to get your brand in front of your local future workforce.  In addition, you can use the new (paid) feature to list specific job titles to reach students who have the specific skills you hire, helping you build and maintain a sustainable talent pipeline that is critical for an organization's future performance.  The YouScience program closes the gap that exists in many industries by nurturing the pipeline with ready-to-work candidates.  Currently in the Shoals, Florence City Schools, Muscle Shoals City Schools |
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Thank you to our ShoalsWORKS! Workforce Champion Sponsors! |
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