For people interested in learning a new career skill, Wallace State Community College offers a variety of opportunities through the Workforce Training Center. Located on the grounds of REHAU’s automotive manufacturing facility in Cullman, The Workforce Training Center provides facilities for training programs and services provided by the college’s Center for Career and Workforce Development. With a focus on short-term programs across diverse fields, the center aims to equip individuals with industry-relevant skills, serving as a hub for short-term programs in fields such as liberal arts, applied technology, health sciences and S.T.E.M.

The courses offered at the Workforce Training Center follow the Pro Skills Pathways that Wallace State Community College offers students as they begin their college career. The center provides designated spaces for training programs that correlate with the Pathways where students earn credentials that they can use to get a job, advance in their current job or use as credit to transition into an academic credit-bearing program at Wallace State.   

In addition to offering Pro Skills classes, the Workforce Training Center provides a venue for testing and professional certification for things such as ServSafe, PearsonVue, ASE, PSI and ACT WorkKeys.       

Bethany Campbell, Director of Employer Engagement and Strategic Partnerships at Wallace State, said the Workforce Training Center offers multiple avenues for aspiring professionals and current employees to enhance their skill sets.  

“It is so exciting to have a dedicated space in a convenient location to provide short-term training for individuals looking to enter the workforce or to upskill employees for local companies,” said Campbell. “We really want the Wallace State Workforce Training Center to serve our community and area businesses, and we hope the Pro Skills classes offered at the Workforce Training Center will help members of our community get started in their careers and provide industry with the talent pipeline they desperately need.”

Some of the current Pro Skills classes offered at the Workforce Training Center include:

 

• CPR certification  
• Phlebotomy technician 
• Certified production technician 
• Certified logistics technician 
• Relay logic and motor controls 
• OSHA10 certification 
•  Forklift certification 

In conjunction with Melanie Maddox, President of M2C2 Solutions, the Center for Career and Workforce Development will host leadership training classes on March 26 and April 23 at the Workforce Training Center.    

Also on site is a lab where students can complete online training for the Skills for Success program. Developed in 2022 by the Alabama Community College System’s (ACCS) Innovation Center, the Skills for Success program provides rapid training for technical jobs across the state. These courses are funded through the Alabama government and are open to any state resident. Part of the Skills for Success training is offered online, with interactive learning that is self-paced. Upon completion of the online coursework, students then complete hands-on training with qualified instructors.  

Participants who complete training earn an ACCS Credential, which signifies to businesses that the individual has mastered the skills taught in the program and is ready for employment. The ACCS Credential can also be used as a foundation for additional classes and training at Alabama community colleges. Additionally, courses are also available to high school students for a career readiness indicator (CRI) credit that can count towards high school graduation.  

Some of the free Skills for Success courses offered at the Wallace State Workforce Training Center include:

• Asphalt Roller Operator 
• Bulldozer Operator  
• Class A & B Commercial Driver’s (with the option to obtain HazMat endorsement, passenger endorsement and school bus endorsement)\
• Excavator Operator 
• Fiber Optics Technician
• Food & Beverage Services 
• Hotel Operations 
•  Land Survey Helper 
• Meat Cutter
• Mental Health Worker 
• Skid Steer Operator  

For a schedule containing all Workforce Training opportunities available through the Center for Career and Workforce Development visit wallacestate.edu/careerdevelopment/schedule.  

To suggest training programs that the Center for Career and Workforce Development can implement visit wallacestate.edu/workforcetraining.  

For more information about the Center for Career and Workforce Development visit wallacestate.edu/careerdevelopment or call 256.352.7450.  

The Spring 2024 semester is currently underway at Wallace State, with Mini Term II classes beginning March 6. Priority registration for Summer 2024 and Fall 2024 will begin on April 1.  Visit www.wallacestate.edu/register-now to apply and register for classes.