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Area industries show off what they have to offer as employers
With the threat of steel producing giant ThyssenKrupp taking away employees when its Alabama operations start up in 2010, area industries are attempting to offset that by creating a trained workforce ready to fill the gaps left behind. Local citizens were invited to attend Parents Night at Jackson High School, Thursday, Jan. 24, to gather information about the employment and educational opportunities connected with area industries. The event was organized and hosted by officials from Jackson's Boise paper mill. "Our most important resource is our children," said Boise's Marty Parker during his welcome to those in attendance. "We are thankful for our industrial and education partners who are here tonight. Alabama is on the threshold of an economic explosion. Tonight we want to share with you some of the local employment opportunities available." The first speaker for the evening was Al Etheridge, head of Region 9 Workforce Development. He said the prospects for rural industrial development has taken a turn for the better in the last four to five years. Region 9 encompasses all of southwest Alabama. "Our goals involve helping existing industries by assisting educators and workforce providers to meet student and client needs," he said. "We are facing issues with employment and hiring people who have a good work ethic. We have to get people ready for the workforce. We are looking for people who want to work. There are good jobs out here in your area, but you have to be able to go out and get them."
Etheridge said the opportunities and assistance are available to those who choose to pursue them. "You must be persistent," he said. He went on to explain that ThyssenKrupp would create a ripple effect, with supplier jobs and gaps in the existing workforce, which will need to be filled. He said anyone who is seeking information about assistance may call his office at (251) 230-0602. Roderick McSwain, assistant to the technical dean at Bishop State Community College spoke about the opportunities there for those seeking technical training. "We have some programs not offered by Alabama Southern," he said. "We welcome you to come down and see what we have to offer. There may be opportunities just a short drive down the road that may be right for you." Dr. John Johnston, president of Alabama Southern Community College, discussed some of the programs offered partnering with local industries to create a viable workforce pool to draw from. "There are companies here who want to talk to you about the opportunities available," he said. "We (Alabama Southern) are looking to expand our industry alliance to better meet the employment needs in our area." Johnston introduced the evening's keynote speaker, Bradley Byrne, chancellor of Alabama's two-year college system. Byrne spoke about the downturn experienced in Alabama in the recent past, with the closing of paper mills, chemical plants and textile mills. "Since then, Alabama's economy has gone through an incredible change," he said. "We now have options for our children and our programs are wide open." Byrne discussed opportunities all over the state from Mobile to Montgomery and Huntsville. "Alabama is now number three in the automotive industry and the southern region of the state has ever-expanding opportunities," he said. The front hallway of the school was filled with displays and representatives from area industries and educational institutions offering information for employment opportunities in the region. Those in attendance were given the opportunity to talk with those representatives to see what is available as opposed to attending a four-year university. Many of the jobs that will probably become available offer high wages after a two-year training period at either Alabama Southern or Bishop State. Some scholarship programs almost guarantee employment following completion of the programs offered.
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