Workforce News & Resources

brought to you by the Shoals Chamber & the ShoalsWORKS! Council

 

Presented by

 

June 7, 2023

 

Issue 11

 

Find archived issues HERE.

 
 

     EDUCATE     

BREAKING  NEWS!!

UNA is the New Home to

South's BEST Robotics Regional Championship

May. 23, 2023


FLORENCE, AL ? The University of North Alabama has been named the new home of the annual South's BEST Robotics Regional Championship. BEST is the premier national middle & high school robotics program with 50 local competition sites in 18 states throughout the United States. More than 850 middle and high schools, and more than 18,000 students participate annually at local competition hubs, which then go to one of three regional championship sites, South's BEST, Texas BEST or Colorado BEST.


All Southeastern local hubs' top teams, generally around fifty, advance to South's BEST. The Championship is a two day event, with most teams bringing a number of family, friends and fans to cheer them on. The event generally brings in around 2,000 - 3,000 visitors for two to three days, so it will be a great new boost to the local economy, along with it's obvious educational and skills benefits.


“Being named the new home to the annual South’s BEST Robotics Championship is a win for the University as well as our region,” said Dr. Ross Alexander, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. “We are extremely proud of the work that went into securing this event, and it is absolutely fitting that UNA, as Alabama’s Workforce Development University, would have the opportunity to showcase our engineering, computing, technology, and even marketing programs; as well as our beautiful campus for teams from around the country.”


BEST, Inc., or Boosting Engineering Science and Technology, establishes the annual curricula and competition standards used nationwide in order to compete in the annual competition. The mission of BEST is to engage and excite students about engineering, science, and technology as well as to inspire them to pursue careers in these fields.


Through participation in BEST’s STEM program, students learn to analyze and solve problems using the Engineering Design Process, which helps them develop technological literacy skills that industry seeks in its workforce. 

 

Students receive only the rules & challenges for the game (which changes each year), controllers and electronics (which they must return post-competition) and a box of raw materials such as plywood, wire, screws, tape, PVC pipe, metal, etc., then design and build a competitive robot in just eight weeks.  They must work with only what they are given.  You might say it's a cross between MacGyver and Apollo 13.  Critical thinking at it's best!


“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to host South’s BEST Robotics Championship at UNA,” said Julie Taylor Yates, Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management. “South’s BEST uses the excitement of robotics, and the electric atmosphere of a championship ball game, to teach engineering and business processes. UNA is excited to host students interested in multiple disciplines like STEM, Nursing, Education and Business. We hope to be able to offer varied scholarships to the winners. And, as Alabama’s Workforce Development University, South’s BEST is the perfect fit.”


Local competitions will take place throughout the fall at Colleges and Universities in the Southeastern region. The winning teams will then bring their best designs to the regional championship at UNA in early December. For the past twenty-five years, South’s BEST has been hosted at Auburn University.

EDITOR'S  NOTE:

The Shoals Chamber is thrilled for our area that UNA will be the new home of the South's BEST Regional Championship, formerly hosted at Auburn University!


Winning BEST Robotics teams from across the Southeast will now converge on the Shoals each December to compete for the coveted best of the BEST Award in robotics, engineering design and marketing!


Thank you especially to Kim Sheppard and Trent Allen from Northwest-Shoals Community College, co-hub directors of the local NW AL BEST Robotics hub, for their tireless efforts to make this transition happen.


And to the awesome UNA team who have enthusiastically embraced this new venture, we look forward to watching South's BEST flourish in its new home! CONGRATULATIONS!!

 

If you are unfamiliar with BEST, the 2 minute video below is older, but is still a great representation of what BEST looks and feels like!
Video
 

Nominate your favorite educator for
Shoals Teacher of the Month! 

“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.”
~ Henry Brooks Adams ~

The Shoals Chamber of Commerce is again providing an opportunity to recognize the incredible educators across The Shoals. 

 

Each month throughout the school year, a teacher, educator, aide, counselor, administrator, or staff member will be recognized as the “Shoals Teacher of the Month” based on nominations received. 

 

 

Nominations for next school year, fall semester (August - December) can be found here:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TOTM-Nominees 

 

Nominations for the winter / spring semester (January - May) will open in December 2023. 

 

 

Northwest-Shoals Community College is the presenting sponsor of this initiative, with Lost Pizza and Treehouse Children's Dentistry sponsoring middle / high school and elementary school teacher awards respectively. 

 

We love our educators and want to do our part to help recognize them for the incredible work they do for our children's future and the future of the Shoals community!

 

For more information, contact the Shoals Chamber, 256-764-4661.

 

 

Thank you for your support and recognition of the amazing educators in The Shoals!

 
 

Connect with Our Career Tech Educators

Colbert County Schools

Florence City Schools

Lauderdale County Schools

Muscle Shoals City Schools

Sheffield City Schools

Tuscumbia City Schools
 
 

    EQUIP    

In today's ever-increasing digital arena, unexpected cyber security breaches can have disastrous effects on industry, causing significant operational and financial losses.
What can you do to be ready and prepared?

 

Activate your cyber awareness and amp up your threat agility at the Comprehensive Cyber Security for Modern Manufacturing Conference as we present proven solutions that can mitigate and protect your business from the risk of cyber attacks. Learn how innovative technologies, AI and automation can optimize your response in near real-time and stop cyber threats and attacks before they spread.

WHEN

Thursday, June 15, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

 

WHERE

Alabama School of Cyber Technology & Engineering

229 Wynn Drive
Huntsville, Alabama 35805

 

REGISTRATION

AAMA Members - $95

Non-members: $125
 

Advance CTE and its partners are seeking industry-specific representatives to serve on National Industry Advisory Groups that will help inform changes to the National Career Clusters Framework. We want Alabama to be well-represented.

 

Updates to this Framework are vital to Career Technical Education (CTE) and workforce development as the team seeks to better bridge the gaps between education and workforce. They need expertise to provide insight into how to better prepare learners for dynamic and evolving careers at the national level.

 

To nominate yourself or a colleague, please visit Advance CTE's website for more information. Participation time on these groups will not exceed more than 10 hours over the next 12 months. If you have any questions, please email careerclusters@careertech.org.

 

Nominations close June 16.
 

Alabama Workforce Council Releases Survey on Barriers to Employment for Hourly Workers

The Alabama Workforce Council conducted the Statewide Survey of Alabama Hourly Employees to identify barriers preventing workers, especially those from Alabama’s 16 special populations, from accessing education, training, or going to work. 

 

The majority of those surveyed identified childcare as a very important factor in their ability to attend work regularly. 52% of parents have missed work because they don’t have childcare. In addition, 38% of working parents drive their kids to school.  

 

Transportation also remains a barrier for hourly workers.  Half of workers drive over 30 minutes in their commute, and a third of workers have lost or quit their job due to transportation issues. Nearly 60% of workers have missed work due to their car breaking down, a majority of workers do not have access to public transportation, and 13% of those surveyed reported that they have no other reliable transportation to work.   

 

More than a third of those surveyed reported delaying a new job, taking a new position with the same employer, or entering school or training for fear of losing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. 52% reported a similar course of action for fear of losing Medicaid.   
 

ATTENTION  MANUFACTURERS!

Supply Chain Database

Through CONNEX? Alabama, Alabama manufacturers can connect with each other, find local suppliers, discover new business opportunities, and manage their supply chains.

 

Get started today and receive national level access at no-cost.

Use promo code:  AlabamaFree
 

To find ATN's most recent newsletters, Network News,

chocked full of Training and Networking resources

Click HERE 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 ATN provides many FREE monthly 

Environmental Health & Safety Webinars 

Click HERE

for more information. 
 

~ Employers ~
Fortify Your Talent Pipeline!

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 
 

     EMPOWER     

ShoalsWORKS! Council

JOIN  THE  DISCUSSION!

 

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. 

 

Participation is open to 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.
 

With their kids at home,
what are your employees doing this summer?

As we know, summer is a tough time for working parents as they try to balance work-life with family-life, especially if they can't find Child Care.
 
In fact, 3 out of 4 working parents say finding Child Care during the summer is a challenge, requiring many to miss work, reduce hours, or change jobs.
 
Employers, you can help them out! TOOTRiS Child Care Benefits allow you to help parents find and afford care that fits their specific needs - reducing their caregiving stress so they can stay focused and productive. With nearly 200,000 options, TOOTRiS can make an immediate impact for your team during the summer, and all year long.  
 
Check out Tootris and find out how to make this summer a little easier for everyone! Learn how Child Care Benefits can drive small business performance by booking a demo.
 

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:  $10 Members;  $15 Non-Members

 

RSVP to shoals.shrm@gmail.com

 

Meetings & Events page:

 https://shoalschaptershrm.shrm.org/events
 

Chamber Member Job Board

Attention 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

 

Current Job Listings
 

Statewide Job Board


Alabamaworks.alabama.gov is a great resource for Alabama citizens and businesses.

  • List jobs
  • 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 Avenue Suite 102 Sheffield
 

NEWS  &  RESOURCES

The new statewide AlabamaWorks website is now live,

with resources for

Employers, Job Seekers & Students.

 

Check it out!

www.alabamaworks.com
 

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
 

Free Training
Saves 5% on Workers' Compensation

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:

  • A written drug-free workplace policy statement 
  • A substance abuse testing program 
  • Provisions for an Employee Assistance Program
  • Employee Education (e.g. Bradford's FREE drugfree workplace training)
  • Supervisor Training (also done by Bradford for FREE)

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.

 

Check out the article and guidelines linked below.

 

For more information on Bradford's FREE  TRAINING contact:

Blake Cruttenden

Territory Manager
North Alabama Region

M: 256-405-3281 | blakec@bradfordhealth.com
 

Thank you to our ShoalsWORKS! Workforce Champion Sponsors!