Alabama’s community college system has played a difference-making role in preparing students of today for the actual jobs of tomorrow. That role was recognized this week by Alabama manufacturers.
The association, Manufacture Alabama, awarded its “Friend of Manufacturing” designation to the Chancellor of the Alabama Community College System, Jimmy Baker.
Meeting with hundreds of manufacturers and their partners from all over the state, Manufacture Alabama CEO Jon Barganier surprised Baker with the announcement at Point Clear, the pavilion at the historic Grand Hotel. Baker thought he was there just as an attendee of the manufacturers’ annual conference. He became the honoree for his leadership in vocational education.
The Alabama Community College System provides accessible career and technical education (CTE) to train workers for the state’s labor and industry needs.
The system offers Associate in Applied Science degrees and stackable certificates in fields such as welding, industrial electronics, and engineering technology.
The system operates the ACCS Innovation Center and its “Skills for Success” program to deliver fast, flexible, industry-recognized training.
The system partners with groups such as AlabamaWORKS, AIDT, and major manufacturers, including Hyundai, Airbus, and Austal, to customize workforce pipelines.
They incorporate the Alabama Technology Network to offer direct technical assistance and training to local businesses.
They partner with state agencies including the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services to eliminate income-based financial hurdles for vocational training for individuals with disabilities.
Jimmy H. Baker is the Chancellor of the Alabama Community College System, where he has led the 24-college network since March 2017.
Baker was born in Coffee County, Alabama, and attended high school in New Brockton.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Troy State University, along with graduate degrees in Economics and Education Administration from Auburn.
He worked as a K-12 teacher and coach at Daleville High School.
Baker served as Alabama’s State Finance Director from 1995 to 1999 under Governor Fob James’ second administration.
Baker had worked as president of the brokerage firm, the George M. Wood & Co., for 10 years.
Baker joined the Alabama Community College System as chief of staff in 2016, became acting chancellor later that year, and was officially named permanent chancellor in March 2017.
Baker had been honored by Enterprise State Community College with the naming of the Jimmy Baker Hall performing arts center.
All indications at the MA conference were that the next chapters of the Jimmy Baker story will be the most difference-making for the students of today and the employers of tomorrow.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler is a freelance writer about the colorful and positive in Alabama — her people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].
