Wallace State Community College is preparing to embark on a new era of technical education and workforce training with a $2 million federal grant.

The grant will fund a technical education center aimed at providing workers with new, in-demand skills for the changing workforce.

Awarded by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross through the Economic Development Administration, the project is also expected to create 68 jobs.

“Since as early as 2012, we have been working diligently to secure funding for this project,” said Wallace State President Dr. Vicki Karolewics. “Wallace State’s involvement in launching ZeroRPM and Sequence Health only strengthened our sense of urgency that a center of this type is essential to the continued growth of jobs through entrepreneurship in our community. Chancellor Baker and the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Community College System shared our vision, and with their support and this funding, we will finally see this vision become a reality.”

 Workforce development is a growing concern across Alabama after a period of significant economic growth. Training and re-training are rising demands of industries across the state, as well as those who were eyeing Alabama for expansion.

“Under the Trump Administration, workforce development and training are of the utmost importance as some workers continue to struggle in communities across the United States,” said Ross. “This new facility in Cullman will provide the innovative education workers need to compete for jobs in the global economy.”

Businesses and manufacturers across the country are actively seeking workers with technical skills, added U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala. 

“This significant investment will allow Wallace State Community College the opportunity to equip students with the necessary innovative training to meet this heightened demand. Further, the new technical education center will serve a vital role in promoting workforce development and fostering economic growth throughout Alabama.”

Congressman Robert Aderholt said the funds made available to Wallace State will help drive rural Alabama and provide a good quality of life.

This investment will establish WSCC’s new technical education center, housing a welding program and business incubator. The welding program upgrades will support and expand a pipeline of technical education for the region, while the incubator space will support the convergence of various community resources.

The project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the North Central Alabama Regional Council of Governments and the EDA.