Education, Training,
Professional Development
and Networking
NW Alabama Employers,
Need training for your employees? So do other employers in the area!
Let us know your needs, so we can help arrange for the most cost-effective, collaborative training opportunities for all employers with similar needs.
Some training needs may also qualify for grant funding (your tax dollars at work!), which can save employers some, if not all, of the expense! ​
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Let us know your needs in the survey linked below or contact snewland@shoalschamber.com.
AL Workforce Stabilization Program (AWSP) is funding for employee training available for all business types & sizes, it’s extremely flexible on the type of training, and can be for 1 – 1,000+ employees!
If you have questions or want to discuss how this funding could help your training efforts, please contact Andrew Robbins (256-331-5218) at NWSCC.
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AL Workforce Stabilization Program (AWSP)
The Alabama Workforce Stabilization program is AT-NO-COST to the Employer and is designed to help Alabama businesses avoid lay-offs, upskill current employees, and develop talent pipelines.
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Provide entry level employment for “new to the workforce” participants
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Hire new talent with On-the-Job Training assistance
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Incentivize workers to stay with the company by providing upskilling through Incumbent Worker Training programs
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Train supervisors and managers to identify mental health issues that affect the production and efficiency of the employee. The University of Alabama VitAL program will provide all AWSP employers Mental Health First Aid Training
Get customized training for business & industry or choose from a wide range of existing technical training, administrative assistance, and personal development courses.
Partner with NW-SCC Career Technical Programs to offer tours, job shadowing, internships, co-ops for future employees or participate on program Advisory Committees and hiring fairs.
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NW-SCC believes that veterans & their dependents are entitled to all financial assistance & benefits accrued through service to their country.
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NW-SCC Community Partners Scholarships
This partnership offers tuition scholarships to full-time (30+ hours) employees of business members of the Chambers of Commerce in the Shoals, Franklin, Lawrence & Winston counties, as well as Chamber employees.
UNA's Center for Learning & Professional Development is the University’s primary means of extending its educational and training resources to employers seeking updated workplace skills and productivity-improving knowledge and to the non-traditional student, especially to adults seeking continued personal and professional development.
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Partner with UNA's Career Center or through the Workforce Development initiative to offer tours, job shadowing, internships, co-ops or participate in hiring fairs for future employees.
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UNA's Military and Veteran Service Center
to assist veterans, active duty military, guardsmen, and reservists and their family members in taking full advantage of the educational benefits available to them through the GI Bill, Federal Tuition Assistance and other programs. We also strive to help students make the transition from active military duty to UNA.
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UNA - Shoals Chamber Educational Partnership allows members of the Shoals Chamber of Commerce to complete or pursue a degree at UNA for a 20% discount on tuition and fees for full-time employees. It is a significant benefit for businesses that have proven their commitment to the Shoals Chamber, their workforce and the entire Shoals community.
Apprenticeship Alabama is to ensure business and industry have the tools needed to develop an industry-driven Registered Apprenticeship (RA) program for its citizens.
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Industry-Focused Sectors
Advanced Manufacturing
Construction / Carpentry
Distribution / Transportation / Logistics
Healthcare
Information Technology (IT)
Contact your local Career Center to see if your business qualifies for funding assistance to hire or train your employees! YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK!
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Adult Programs include:
​Individual Training Accounts (ITAs)
On the Job Training
Incumbent Worker Training
Dislocated Worker
The Robotics Training Park (RTP) is a collaboration between the state of Alabama, Alabama Community College System, AIDT, and robotics industry leaders across the nation.
Training is provided AT NO COST to Alabama businesses. YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK!
The RTP consists of three individual training facilities, each targeted to a specific industry need.
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The Robotics Maintenance Training Center
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The Advanced Research and Development Center
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The Integration, Entrepreneurial, and Paint Dispense Training Center and Mobile Robotic Training Lab
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The RTP's mission is to provide a technically trained, highly skilled, and educated workforce for automation and robotics, to assist public and private entities in developing new robotics systems and technologies, and to promote the creation, growth, or expansion of companies through innovative technology solutions
Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services
The Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS) is committed to helping Alabama businesses find solutions to disability-related issues such as:
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retaining a valued employee whose job is affected by illness, injury or disability
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accessing no-cost resources to save your company time and money and to address your “hot issues”
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finding ways to make your business accessible to customers and employees with disabilities
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very interesting training sessions about disabilities & employment
Alabama Industrial Development Training - AIDT is an independent State agency under the supervision and oversight of the Secretary of Commerce, which encourages economic development through job-specific training. Training services are offered in many areas, at no cost to new and expanding businesses throughout the State of Alabama.
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Interview T.I.P.S. helps applicants prepare for job interviews. The program includes:
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Applications
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Resumes
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Tips for effective interviewing (preparation, communication, dress)
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Interview Follow-Up
AIDT is willing to bring this program to your site. Schools, churches, and other community agencies are encouraged to contact AIDT’s Leadership Development team to schedule a program.
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Leadership Development Classes are offered on a continuous basis at various Education Alliances around the state.
Leadership Skills 1 is the recommended first course for first-line, team leads and/or new supervisors.
Leadership Skills 2 is a follow-up course to Leadership Skills 1, and includes more advanced topics of supervision.
Leadership Skills 3 is the newest class in the Leadership Skills series. It is recommended for those who have previously attended LSI and LSII.
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On-Line Classes - coming soon!
North Alabama Works! Region 1 Workforce Council membership consist of over 75% business and industry leaders in the region who work together to determine the primary education and workforce training needs of employers. Meetings are open to any interested business representatives. The Council network also includes representatives from post-secondary and K-12 education, the chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, non-profits, and local government agencies.
The council provides a direct link to the workforce needs of business and industry at the local level, and helps to coordinate education, training and job placement system to meet the needs defined by local employers.
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North Alabama Works! is a part of the larger statewide Alabama Works! system.
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For more information, or to get on the e-communication list, contact:
Stephanie McCulloch, Assistant Director
The Alabama Technology Network, part of the Alabama Community College System, has the most extensive training and service offerings for business and industry, ensuring the best possible source for your business needs. These include: Lean Manufacturing, Quality Systems and Engineering, Information Technology, Human Resources and Organizational Development, Environmental Safety and Health (ES&H), Business Services/Strategic Management, Industrial Maintenance, and Engineering and Technical Services.
Veteran Training Resources
Gain skills for the future with a bootcamp.
Become the expert trusted to build the future in a flexible, affordable program
tailored to the skills you need to advance your career.
NW-SCC believes that veterans & their dependents are entitled to all financial assistance & benefits accrued through service to their country.
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UNA's Military and Veteran Service Center
to assist veterans, active duty military, guardsmen, and reservists and their family members in taking full advantage of the educational benefits available to them through the GI Bill, Federal Tuition Assistance and other programs. We also strive to help students make the transition from active military duty to UNA.
Free, on-site seminars, webinars, tools & resources to help your employees achieve their financial goals. Choose from a variety of topics and other resources.
Shoals Chapter - SHRM is an affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management. They act as a local starting point for individuals to find networking, information, professional development and continued support of excellence in Human Resources to businesses.
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The Shoals chapter offers a local forum for personal and professional development, Opportunities to develop leadership, managerial, public speaking and group decision-making skills as well as many other career orientated skills.
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Contact: shoals.shrm@gmail.com
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Regular Monthly Meetings*:
2nd Thursday, 11:30 - 1:00
Lunch: $10 members, $15 non-members
Visitors are welcome!
RSVP to mmfike@una.edu
First Metro Bank, downtown Florence
* Meeting time & location are subject to change.
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