Alabama has one of the nation’s most diverse and resilient economies. What we have been able to accomplish in the agriculture, automotive and aviation industries commands the world’s attention of our state’s workforce and quality of life. The construction, forestry, healthcare and transportation industries are among reasons companies choose to do business here.

Yet, for too many in our state, the path to a fulfilling and sustainable career can seem out of reach. The U.S. Chamber reports we have only 38 available workers for every 100 jobs, with nearly 49,000 unemployed. More work is needed to maximize the state’s labor participation rate and to increase the college-going rate of high school graduates and adult learners.

This Labor Day, I reaffirm that our state’s 24 community and technical colleges, which make up the Alabama Community College System, are working to make life better. We believe in the potential of every individual who calls Alabama home, and we are here to help them achieve success.

We appreciate the expectation and the trust of our state’s leaders to build the capacity to serve every individual who pursues education at our colleges. Our superpower is our footprint that spans every region of the state.

Our enrollment continues to climb as more residents invest in their futures. More than 5,300 businesses engage within our colleges because our programs meet the needs of both the students and the industries that drive our state’s growth. We have expanded our online studies, had a more than 159% increase in the number of high school students who take dual enrollment, and invested nearly $1 billion in capital improvement projects that transform traditional classroom environments into state-of-the-art workforce training centers.

The number of veterans we serve is also growing.

We are preparing students for jobs that are here today, as well as developing strategy for jobs that have yet to exist. By equipping our students with the tools they need, within time periods as short as weeks of training to accommodate their lives, we are helping them build a better future for themselves and their families.

What our colleges offer is not just about learning a skill; the faculty and staff at our colleges are about changing lives. They do so through strengthening student experiences, from unifying our technology infrastructure with a common learning management system, to expanding athletics, clubs and organizations. Mental health services are provided for faculty and staff statewide. We are standardizing the level of excellence in career preparation services at our colleges. We are empowering students who need remedial skills prior to reaching their goals.

The bottom line is that education opens doors, and we want more of our citizens to walk through them. Whether through traditional academic programs or career and technical education, we are dedicated to making higher education accessible and attainable for all.

Let’s continue to make life better and ensure that Alabama’s families are stronger, communities are more vibrant, and our economy is more resilient.

Together, we can create a more prosperous Alabama.