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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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  EQUIP   |
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FALLÂ JOBÂ FAIR Join Our Team! |
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Wednesday, November 15 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Northwest Shoals Community College  8 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. High School Seniors  2 - 5 p.m. Open to the Community   Employer Registration is NOW OPEN Event Registration HERE Event Payment HERE  $75 Shoals Chamber Members $100 Non-Chamber Members   School Registration NOW OPEN School Registration HERE   Questions? Contact snewland@shoalschamber.com 256-764-4661 |
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CTE 101 Free & Open to Anyone Not in High School |
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CTE 101 is a semester-long class that meets twice a week. The class is offered both day and night. It is non-credit, but students have the potential to turn some of their certificates earned into credit on their transcript. It's a great way to explore the different programs at the college and can be a great launch into a career pathway. |
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Starts Sept. 5!  REGISTER ASAP!   Contact Crissy Broadway 256-331-5248 cbroadway@nwscc.edu |
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~ Employers ~
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Economies worldwide face a widening gap that is more impactful than inflation or supply chain issues. One that results in lost productivity and may lead to as much as $8.5 trillion in unrealized revenues. One that’s forecast to leave 85 million unfilled jobs by 2030.  The gap is the one between available skills and ready-to-work talent, and it is growing.  The challenge affects schools, industries, and policymakers.  On one side of the skills gap is industry battling for a limited pipeline of skilled workers. Forty-nine percent of industry leaders say their top challenge is the limited supply of talent.  Ironically, in May 2022, almost six million people in the U.S. were unemployed. They were available and willing to work but lacked skills for and/or interest in available jobs.  On the other side is an education system that, despite decades of study, the dedication of faculty and administrators, large-scale investment, and the best of intentions, has not fully solved the disconnect between what students study and what industry needs.  In the middle are students graduating from an educational system with more available pathways than ever before but less clarity about what the right approach for their future is. They face a number of fissures that lead them to question what is next, including:   ? How are school and the classes I am taking relevant to my future?   ? What should I do when I graduate?   ? What options do I have if I do not go to college?   ? Is college worth the time and investment?   ? How do I communicate my skills to employers? Perhaps most important is this question:   ? What is the right path for me?  Solving the skills gap is not only possible, it is essential. Addressing the skills gap requires alignment among policymakers and industry and education leaders in a way that recognizes and supports each individual student’s success. Now is the time. The stars are aligned for massive transformation in education and industry.  Enter YouScience! an aptitude-based assessment that allows students to discover their God-given talents; skills they sometimes never knew they had. YouScience then matches those skills with their personal interests and shows them educational and career pathways they may have never considered, but in which they can be highly successful. In addition, it introduces students to local businesses who hire the skills they possess.  YouScience PROVIDES EMPLOYERS a FREE PLATFORM (Employer Connections) to get your brand and the skills you hire in front of your local future workforce.  Currently in The Shoals, Florence City Schools, Muscle Shoals City Schools and Tuscumbia City Schools use YouScience, as well as Russellville City Schools.  Support Your Favorite Schools! If your organization would like to help a local middle or high school provide YouScience for their students, your future workforce, $1,500 - $2,000 per year can provide YouScience for the entire student body!  Contact the Chamber for more information, snewland@shoalschamber.com. |
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Customized Workforce Training ~ at No Cost ~ |
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For more information contact Andrew Robbins at andrew.robbins@nwscc.edu, 256-331-5218. |
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Searchable by State, Region and Metro Area
 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: |
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RECRUITMENT Events & Information at UNA Fall 2023 |
For more information contact:   Rickey McCreless   Assistant Director External Connections & Student Success   256.765.4277 |
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(Check out the new NWSCC logo!) |
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Find Your Next Employees through |
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The Career Center at Northwest-Shoals Community College understands the value of transforming high-quality education into gainful employment. Our services prepare students to make informed decisions about their strengths and values as they discover future paths for success.  For more information contact;    Amanda Peters    Career Center Coordinator    256-331-8062    amanda.terry@nwscc.edu |
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Attention Employers! RECRUITINGÂ OPPORTUNITIES at COLLEGESÂ Â Around the State & Region |
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Recruit from colleges in The Shoals, the State & the Region for your next full- or part-time employees, interns, co-ops or apprentices.  A list of over 40 Colleges & Universities in our region is available HERE, on the Shoals Workforce Resources website.  Each College listed is linked to its Career Center / Employer Services page. |
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To find ATN's most recent newsletters, Network News, chocked full of Training and Networking resources ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  ATN provides many FREE monthly Environmental Health & Safety Webinars for more information. |
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   EMPOWER   |
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ShoalsWORKS! Council |
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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 snewland@shoalschamber.com. |
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Chamber Partner Program |
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Your Money, Your Life! / Reality Check  REGISTER NOW! |
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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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Tuesday, September 26, 8 a.m. - 12 noon (lunch is porovided)
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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  To see if there are other upcoming Your Money Your Life events CLICK HERE.
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Career Expo for all North Alabama 8th graders, including Colbert & Lauderdale students.  SAVE THE DATE! November 8 & 9 Von Braun Center, Huntsville  Contact Johnita Romine for more information |
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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: $10 Members; $15 Non-Members  RSVP to shoals.shrm@gmail.com  Meetings & Events page: |
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Chamber Member Job Board |
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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, snewland@shoalschamber.com  |
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Current Job Listings |
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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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EDUCATE |
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CONGRATULATIONS!
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“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.”
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The August Teacher of the Month awards go to ... Â Middle / High School Award BRUCEÂ WHITE Band Director at Florence High School "Mr. White has been at Florence for three years now, and in that time he has molded and shaped the hearts and minds of all the students that have gone through the program. The Big Blue Band would not be the same without him, and I believe I speak for all members of the band when I say we wouldn’t want it any other way." Â "He is inspirational and goes above and beyond for all of his students. He always tries to make everyone a priority." Â "Very hard working, extremely passionate, willing to go the extra mile for the program and the individuals." Â "Mr. White is the best band director I have ever had. He strives for solutions to problems and helping others out." Â "He is a great teacher always excited to be able to teach music and is dedicated to what he does." Â "He is an amazing director! He always motivates and encourages the band to be the best we can be." Â Elementary Award RITAÂ MALONE 4th grade teacher at McBride Elementary School "Mrs. Rita is a phenomenal, amazing and outstanding woman. She let's her light shine bright through her mighty works in everything she does. Rita is making a difference for so many children and others. She knows God will get the glory for her hard work but she deserves to be showered and honored with such an amazing award. You can tell Rita finds Joy In Giving the children the best education she can. Her energy and compassion while interacting with the children shows it everyday!! Keep up the good work!!" Â "Besides being an excellent educator she have a special gift of genuine love, concern and high expectations which develops into self-confidence within the students to expect more for themselves. They begin to thrive and be all they can be. She not only present her special educating skills and gifts in school, she also present them in her home & church. She is the absolute Best!!!!" Â "Rita Malone is the kind of teacher every child deserves! She consistently makes learning fun for her students and provides an environment where they get excited to come to her class. She also is such an encourager of kindness to others as well as diligently working to help her students build confidence in themselves." Â "Rita Malone is a amazing teacher! She takes time to explain and makes sure the student understands and makes it fun for the kids! Rita Malone is the reason my child loves to learn to this day! Another aspect is even though my child has graduated from her class if he has any questions he is free to ask her anything and she will explain it so he can better understand! We love Rita Malone!!!!!" Â "Mrs. Malone is an excellent educator. She is patient, kind and caring. She treats each of her students as if they're her own children. My son struggled and she was there to uplift and encourage him. She's the best teacher he's ever had." |
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Alabama Kicks Off Statewide Expansion ofDolly Parton’s Imagination Librarya book gifting program for children ages 0 - 5 years old |
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Aug 11, 2023 | Imagination Library, United States  Governor Kay Ivey joined Dolly Parton to announce the Alabama statewide expansion of her namesake Imagination Library book-gifting program.  Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting books each month to children from birth to age five, free of charge through funding shared by state and local community partners. Children must be registered by a parent or guardian in order to receive the books. There is no charge to register or receive the books. Age-appropriate books are mailed directly to the homes of registered children each month.  “I’m so excited to help announce that my Imagination Library is coming to Alabama,” said Dolly. “A lot of good people have worked to make our Imagination Library dream for Alabama a reality, but I want to send my very special thanks to Governor Kay Ivey for her leadership in making this happen.”  Read the full press release HERE.  Watch Dolly Parton's personal announcement HERE.  To REGISTER a child ages 0 - 5 years in COLBERT or LAUDERDALE counties, use the FORM LINK BELOW and e-mail it to Laura@uwshoals.org  For more information, contact
  Laura Columbus
  Phone: 256-764-5892
  Email: Laura@uwshoals.org
 To register a child in other areas, check availability HERE. |
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Get to Know Our Career Technical Educators |
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Tuscumbia City Schools Director / Principal Deshler Career Technical Center  Heather Mize is starting her 16th year in education and her 4th year as the Director/Principal at Deshler Career Technical Center. She is a graduate of Deshler High School and loves giving back to her school and community.  "Becoming a teacher was not my first career choice. I worked in banking before going back to school and receiving my education degree. I had the opportunity to speak to students about good financial decisions when working at the bank, and that is when I knew my calling was education. I love helping students and encouraging them to find a career they are passionate about.  "I work with the best teachers and staff at Deshler! We are a team and we are constantly looking for ways to help our students explore opportunities in careers that prepare them for the workforce."  Through grant funding this school year, Deshler CTE has purchased a CNC machine for their AG department; We Build It Better kits for the 5th, 7th, 8th and 9th grade students; and they have started an Agriscience program for their 7th and 8th grade students at Deshler Middle School.  The goal is to expose students to the opportunities available in the workforce and to keep the equipment used in the classrooms updated to business and industry standards. "We feel the better-prepared our students are in high school, the more employable they will be when entering the workforce."  Activities planned for this school year include:
We offer the following programs:
Employers, to discuss partnership opportunities, please contact Heather. |
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Connect with Your Future Workforce through Career Tech Educators |
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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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NEWSÂ &Â RESOURCES |
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UNA & Helen Keller Hospital Establish KIND Program to Benefit Nursing Students |
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Officials with the University of North Alabama and Helen Keller Hospital have recently signed a learning agreement that establishes the Keller Initiative for Nursing Diversity, or KIND, Program. The agreement is designed to increase the number of BSN-credentialed nurses who choose to pursue employment with Helen Keller Hospital after graduation. |
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Top 10 BestScholarship Search Platforms |
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It's not too early to begin the search for college scholarships! |
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Even if you have a good summer job, you likely won’t make enough to pay for college. You also might not have the money you need to cover your living expenses, textbooks and a dorm room.  That is why you need to look for scholarships that will cover some or all of those costs.  Scholarship programs often include funds that go unclaimed each year and offer money that you do not need to repay. As you start your career, you don’t want to worry about loans and how you will pay them when you have other bills to worry about.  Using college scholarship search platforms is the easiest way to find programs that you qualify for and learn how to get that money. We ranked the 10 best scholarship search platforms that you can use while planning for the future. [Click below to get the list.] |
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Chamber Partner Program |
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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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Don't miss all the great events, activities & workshops at the Library! Keep the whole family busy & learning! Â See the Upcoming Events at the top left on the Home Page. Find them on Facebook here. |
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Whether you or your kids are into workforce education, farming, food safety, financial education, gardening, 4-H Club, raising chickens, keeping bees, learning archery, or so much more, the Lauderdale County Cooperative Extension office has a program for you!  Check out their Calendar of Events for the myriad of events and workshops that might be of interest.  Keep a check on their Facebook page as well. |
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A Better Path Connecting Education to the Real World |
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YouScience® Brightpath is the only aptitude-based guidance platform that leverages data and technology to help individuals identify their aptitudes, validate their skills, and get matched with educational and career pathways.  Brightpath brings all of your career, technical education (CTE) and pathway development applications together in a comprehensive platform designed to make your work easier and more fulfilling. |
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The new statewide AlabamaWorks website is now live, with resources for Employers, Job Seekers & Students.  Check it out! |
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Child Care Benefits show a
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Each employee who doesn't have access to quality Child Care can cost your company $1,640 per employee per year in lost productivity and increased absenteeism. You can eliminate Child Care as a barrier for employees this Summer with TOOTRiS! Â Four reasons you need to take action NOW:
Don’t let your employees be distracted with care responsibilities! Add THE benefit that will provide valuable ROI this summer and beyond. |
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CLICKÂ BELOW to receive this bi-weekly ShoalsWORKS! e-Newsletter |
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Thank you to our ShoalsWORKS! Workforce Champion Sponsors! |
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