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Skilled Trades of West Alabama
Updated Apr 04 2023
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Summary
With a mission to build a highly skilled, qualified and prepared workforce for the construction industry in Tuscaloosa and beyond, the academy offers opportunities for apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships and other related training in the construction trades. With a high demand for and shortage of skilled, ready-to-work employees and tradespeople, opportunities exist to build high-paying, successful careers.
Why Skilled Trades?
Recognized, award-winning training and development model
Non-profit organization led by relevant industry employers
On-the-job training coupled with classroom instruction
Experienced, qualified instructors
Instruction aligned with construction industry standards
Leads to licensing, journeyman, and other applicable credentials
Designed to supply the growing workforce demand
Minimal or no costs to participants
Apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs registered by the Alabama Office of Apprenticeships and U. S. Department of Labor
As of January 2023, Skilled Trades maintained an estimated 85% completion rate.
Elevate's partnership with the Skilled Trades Academy will allow expansion of training in the construction trades for local citizens to gain meaningful employment, and impact unemployed and under-employed citizens. Elevate funding will directly benefit the students by contributing to their employability, career path definition, and sustained personal growth and development.
Starting in the fall of 2022, The Skilled Trades Academy has partnered with the Tuscaloosa City Schools system to offer a 9 week elective course to local high school seniors. This course allows students the opporunity to earn credentials towards the OSHA 10 safety program, recieve their first aid CPR certificate, and it qualifies the student to enroll in the pre-aprenticeship program with the Skilled Trades Academy.
To apply for the Skilled Trades of West Alabama pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship programs, go to www.skilledtradesofwestalabama.com or call (205) 771-6655.
Goals and Impact
Introduces additional professionally trained craftsmen into the workforce, in an effort to reduce labor supply shortages
Promotes and develops skills that sustain successful careers
Provides high school seniors with a head start towards mastering a trade
Project Updates
Testimonials
“I came to Skilled Trades because I needed a job right out of high school. I wasn’t going to college and needed to work. Skilled Trades has provided the right opportunity to learn and be part of the electrical apprenticeship program. Because of Skilled Trades I now have a future.”
- Jania Ramos, Student
Premier Service Company
“The benefits of Skilled Trades of West Alabama are twofold. The program not only helps technicians climb the ladder of success in their trade, but also helps the contractors staff their companies with highly skilled, knowledgeable employees.”
- Jim Page
President and CEO, Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama
Timeline
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Key Milestones & Events
Completed:
As of August 2022, 353 students have enrolled in or completed a Skilled Trades Program
Up Next:
Project Materials
Financial Information
Costs
Cost Summary
Spent:
$100,000
Approved:
$100,000
Budget:
$550,000
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Spent: The amount paid on this project to-date.
Approved: The amount that has been approved by the City Council to be spent for a specific contract or purpose on this project. In city accounting terms, this is spent + encumbered.
Budget: The total amount of money that the City expects to be spent to complete this project. This amount is only finalized once sufficient planning on the project has been completed.
Cost Details
Elevate Tuscaloosa Fund: City funds dedicated to Elevate Tuscaloosa which are allocated to this project.
Other City Funds: City funds from non-Elevate Tuscaloosa sources allocated to this project.
External Funding: Amounts from sources outside of the city, such as grants, or donations from citizens or private companies.
Overall Funding
Funding Summary
Elevate Tuscaloosa Fund:
$100,000
Other City Funds:
$0
External Funding:
$0
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