Preparing Graduates for Success in the Workforce
The students targeted for our program of study are those who want to enter the workforce immediately after graduation. Through our partnership with Onin Staffing, we identified valuable skills that would make our students better prepared and more attractive applicants following graduation.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Sept. 2017), the top employment areas in Tuscaloosa are the following:
- Government
- Manufacturing
- Trade, Transportation, and Utilities
- Professional and Business
- Leisure and Hospitality
- Education and Health
- Mining, Logging, and Construction
Implementation
All students in the graduating class of Cohort I were interviewed as a part of the selection process to enter the program. From these students, 31 were selected to join the cohort of “Ready to Work” students. The students completed a combination of coursework and practical experiences during the semester.
The first five (5) weeks of the semester consist of AIDT specifics. AIDT is an independent agency that encourages economic development through job-specific training. In addition to work specific skills, the students receive instruction to complete a variety certifications in OSHA, CPR, and FDIC, to name a few. They also prepare to take the WorkKeys Assessment (the target score is 4 for employment), which tests the students on skills in Graphic Literacy, Work Place Documents, and Applied Mathematics.
The last eight (8) weeks of the program prepare the students for specific jobs in manufacturing, automotive work, construction, personal finance, healthcare, logistics, and hospitality. This training includes tours of the work sites, speakers from the various industries, interview training with Human Resource professionals, and on-site employment interviews. The culminating activities include a reception for the students, parents, and stakeholders as well as commencement exercises where the students are recognized. Our goal continues to be 100% job placement.
