The Alabama Community College System and Bevill State Community College announced plans to develop the Alabama Energy Infrastructure Training Center and Network (AEITCN) on Wednesday afternoon by hosting a program and reception.
Speakers at the event included Alabama Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed, President of Bevill State Dr. Joel Hagood, Chancellor of the Alabama Community College System Jimmy H. Baker, and Alabama Power President and CEO Jeff Peoples.
The AEITCN is a new program aimed at equipping Alabama workers for the energy industry. The program is a workforce development partnership between the Alabama State Legislature, the Alabama Community College System, Alabama Power, and other industry partners.
Alabama Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed remarked, “Providing young people the opportunity to gain skills for impactful careers is incredibly important for Alabama’s future. Investing in our students today will position Alabama for a bright tomorrow. The Alabama Energy Infrastructure Training Center and Network at Bevill State Community College will be a unique facility in Alabama for workforce development connecting talented job seekers and job creators all across the southeast. This new facility will be impactful for our local communities and the state of Alabama, and I am proud of the efforts of Bevill State Community College and Alabama Power to make this a reality.”
The training center’s goal is to address the growing demand for skilled professionals in the energy sector by providing training opportunities that will help equip Alabama’s workforce with the necessary skills to thrive in this dynamic industry. The primary location is an expansion of the HVAC Training Center in Jasper, AL — a long-standing partnership between Bevill State Community College and Alabama Power — and will involve the construction of a new building that is currently in the architectural planning phase.
“As we enter a transformative era in the energy sector, Bevill State is proud to help prepare our state for the jobs of the future. The Alabama Energy Infrastructure Training Center and Network, a partnership with ACCS and Alabama Power, will equip individuals with the skills needed to thrive in the emerging energy-efficiency economy. With statistics indicating a substantial increase in demand for skilled professionals in this field, our commitment to providing cutting-edge training reflects our dedication to shaping a workforce that not only meets the demands of today but propels Alabama into an innovative future,” commented Dr. Joel Hagood, President of Bevill State Community College.
“Alabama is growing and so are our opportunities to recruit high-wage, high-demand industries to this region. I am very excited about the future of workforce training at Bevill State Community College. As we modernize our energy infrastructure, we must have a well-trained and highly credentialed workforce available to meet the demands of this very important sector. I am grateful to the Alabama Community College System and Chancellor Baker for making this training center possible. I am excited to partner with Alabama Power in making sure we are meeting the needs of business and industry for many years to come. This is a tremendous project and I look forward to seeing many new jobs created and careers launched as a result of the Alabama Energy Infrastructure Training Center and Network,” stated Rep. Matt Woods- R Jasper, AL.
“Alabama’s residents, businesses, and industry rely on their local community college to deliver relevant training programs because of our ability to seamlessly align the programs with the credentials that employers require for real careers, and our statewide footprint ensures that the Alabama Community College System can reach residents anywhere in the state,” Jimmy Baker, Chancellor of the Alabama Community College System, said.
“We don’t take lightly the trust invested in Bevill State to launch this venture alongside Alabama’s legislative leaders and Alabama Power, and we look forward to continually expanding the Alabama Energy Infrastructure Training Center and Network as the needs for such careers increase and evolve.”
The center will support the following training pathways: Electric Vehicles (EVs), Connectivity, PV Solar/Microgrid, HVAC and Weatherization.
“Alabama Power is committed to working alongside our state leaders to address workforce barriers and provide training programs that connect people with meaningful jobs in our state,” said Alabama Power President and CEO Jeff Peoples. “We are proud to be a partner in this new program that will provide pathways for lifelong careers in the energy industry.”
In addition to the Bevill State location, the program will also include the ability to support remote training at community colleges across the state.
