Republican congressional nominees Jerry Carl and Rhett Marques recently got a firsthand look at how Alabama high school students are preparing for careers in the construction industry during a visit to the Academy of Craft Training’s Mobile campus.
Carl and Marques, the Republican nominees for Alabama’s 1st and 2nd Congressional Districts, toured ACT’s skilled-trade training facilities and met with students and instructors.
The Academy of Craft Training is a public-private partnership between Alabama’s commercial construction industry and the state’s K-12 Career and Technical Education system. The program gives high school students the opportunity to receive skilled-trade instruction and gain real industry experience before they graduate.
Jay Reed, president of Associated Builders and Contractors of Alabama, said the visit provided an opportunity to talk about the workforce needs facing the construction industry.
“The conversations were honest, productive, and exactly what this industry needs more of,” Reed said. “Alabama’s construction industry continues to grow, and we need a skilled workforce ready to meet that demand. When we prepare our young people for the jobs of tomorrow, Alabama wins.”
Carl pointed to the role programs such as ACT can play in preparing students to move directly into the workforce.
“It was great to visit and tour the ACT Campus in Mobile this morning. Giving students the skills they need to succeed is always a winner. Alabama needs more skilled workers, and ACT is equipping the next generation with the skills and knowledge needed to be well prepared for the workforce,” Carl said.
The Mobile campus is part of an ACT program that is continuing to expand across Alabama. ACT now has four campuses statewide, including the new Central Alabama campus that opened this year, and expects enrollment to approach or exceed 1,000 students.
Marques said the training gives students a path to good-paying careers without having to leave Alabama.
“ABC and the Academy of Craft Training are preparing the next generation of skilled workers with the skills they need to build, fix, weld, wire, and land good-paying careers right out of high school,” Marques said. “I look forward to working with ABC in Congress to support their work so more hardworking Alabamians have the opportunity to build a career, raise a family, and succeed right here at home.”
For ACT instructor Paul Hodges, the candidates’ visit also offered a chance to show how the program connects education with the needs of the construction industry.
“A visit like this is a valuable chance to talk through the workforce needs facing our industry and the role the Academy plays in building a pipeline of skilled, work-ready graduates for our partners,” Hodges said. “When education, industry, and our elected officials come together, it strengthens the awareness and support this program needs to keep growing.”
According to ABC of Alabama, the state’s construction industry generates $20.1 billion in annual economic output and $13.5 billion in earnings while supporting 223,000 jobs. The organization advocates for Alabama’s construction industry and its workers.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
