Alabama is set to host a virtual conference next month where national leaders in the field of workforce development will convene to share knowledge and best practices.

Attendance will be free for what is being called the 2021 Alabama Interstate Talent Development Convening. It will occur on the afternoon of April 5.

Opening remarks will be given by Governor Kay Ivey, and the event’s headline address is to be delivered by Lumina Foundation president and CEO Jamie Merisotis.

“Alabama’s workforce development system is recognized as a national leader for innovation and producing positive results. By aligning our education and workforce development programs, Alabama is providing in-demand career pathways for workers throughout all phases of life,” stated Ivey on Wednesday.

Per a release, the conference will include “18 breakout sessions and more than 45 speakers and panelists from across the U.S. where participants will discuss various subjects related to expanding educational opportunities and workforce training strategies.”

Merisotis is described by AlabamaWorks, a state group dedicated to workforce enhancement, as “a globally recognized leader in philanthropy, education and public policy.”

The webpage dedicated to the event says the organizers hope to use it as a “catalyst to curate consensus on priority action items for the reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and the Higher Education Act (HEA).”

“Alabama looks forward to hosting the Interstate Talent Development Convening where we can share our success and join with others to improve efforts to recruit, train and empower the highly skilled workforce America needs for our future,” Ivey concluded.

Those interested in attending can register here.

Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: [email protected] or on Twitter @HenryThornton95.