Local Educators Complete Workforce Academy
(Oxford, AL) – Fifteen East Alabama educators were recently honored during the VIP Breakfast at Worlds of Work presented by Eastman for completing the East AlabamaWorks Educator Workforce Academy (EWA) in 2022. The Educator [...]
2023 Worlds of Work In The Books!
The 2023 East AlabamaWorks Worlds of Work presented by Eastman was held last week, March 7-9. With the exception of some rain in the afternoon of the final day, the event was another huge [...]
January 2023 Unemployment Rate Holds at 2.6%
March 13, 2023 MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey announced today that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted January unemployment rate is 2.6%, unchanged from December 2022’s revised rate, and also unchanged from January 2022’s rate. January’s rate [...]
Survey of Alabama’s Unemployed and Underemployed 4.0
Alabama Survey of the Alabama Unemployed and Underemployed 4.0 (January 23, 2023) - The Governor’s Office of Education and Workforce Transformation and the Alabama Workforce Council conducted the fourth iteration of the Alabama Survey [...]
Alabama Employers to See UI Tax Cut
Alabama Employers to See 54% Unemployment Insurance Tax Cut January 5, 2023 MONTGOMERY –Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced that most Alabama employers will see a 54% tax cut in their 2023 [...]
EWA Wraps Up 2022 with Transportation & Construction Day
Educators participating in the 2022 Cohort of the East AlabamaWorks Educator Workforce Academy finished their year with a day dedicated to Transportation, Warehousing, and Distribution & Construction. The group started the day learning about [...]
November Unemployment Steady at 2.7%
December 16, 2022 - Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted November unemployment rate is 2.7%, unchanged from October, and below November 2021’s rate of 3.1%. November’s rate represents 63,043 unemployed persons, compared to 61,721 in and [...]
October Unemployment Rate at 2.7%
MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Friday (11/18/2022) announced that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted October unemployment rate is 2.7%, up slightly from September’s rate of 2.6% and below October 2021’s rate of 3.1%. October’s rate [...]
East AlabamaWorks Welcomes New Team Member
East AlabamaWorks is pleased to announce the addition of Kayla Bowman to our workforce development team. Kayla will serve as Program Coordinator for East AlabamaWorks. Kayla joins East AlabamaWorks with more than seven years [...]
EQWIP 2022 Recap
(October 10, 2022) Teachers from all over Etowah County participated in a different kind of field trip on Monday, October 10. The Chamber of Gadsden and Etowah County, along with East AlabamaWorks, Gadsden State [...]
WBL Best Practices Presented by Regional Winners
The Governor's Work-Based Learning Best Practices Presentations for the East AlabamaWorks region were presented on Tuesday, October 18, in the Leone Cole Auditorium on the campus of Jacksonville State University. Sylacauga High School's Health [...]
2022 Regional Hiring Fair Gallery
The 2022 Annual Regional Hiring Fair was held on Tuesday, October 25 at the Oxford Civic Center. Seventy regional employers participated in the event, representing more than twenty-two hundred open jobs that need to [...]
Educator Workforce Academy – October 2022 Session
October 20, 2022 - The topic for the October session of the East AlabamaWorks Educator Workforce Academy was Automotive and Manufacturing. 2022 cohort participants were treated to a tour of Bridgewater Interiors in Eastaboga, [...]
AOA WBL Best Practices/EAW Quarterly Workforce Meeting
The Alabama Office of Apprenticeship Work-Based Learning Best Practices presentations set for Tuesday, October 18, 2022 in the Leone Cole Auditorium at Jacksonville State University will also serve as the Quarterly Workforce Meeting for [...]
Gadsden State Announces Construction of New Advanced Manufacturing Center
July 28, 2022 - Gadsden State Community College held a special event on Thursday, July 28, 2022 to announce the construction of a new Advanced Manufacturing Center. The 50,000 square feet facility will be [...]
Volunteers Needed for October’s EQWIP Event
We are gearing up for this year's EQWIP - Etowah Qualified Workforce Immersion Program - formerly known as Etowah Workforce Academy to be held at The Venue at Coosa Landing on Monday, October 10th. [...]
Applications Open for Governor’s 2022 WBL Awards
Does your organization offer a work-based learning program? If so, we want to know about it! The Alabama Office of Apprenticeship is seeking applications for the 2nd Annual WBL Best Practices Recognition. Submissions will [...]
Alabama’s Success Plus Progress Report Released
The Governor's Office of Education and Workforce Transformation (GOEWT) has released a new progress report on Alabama's Success Plus Credential Attainment Goal. The report was commissioned by GOEWT and was prepared by the Center [...]
State’s First Nursing Apprenticeship Launches in Region 2
Gadsden, Ala. — Gadsden State Community College signaled the start of its new apprenticeship program for registered nurses during a signing event today on the Wallace Drive Campus. The new program, which is the [...]
Registration Opens for 2022 Workforce Conference
We're Back! Live and In-Person in 2022! Join us in Birmingham September 7-9th for the AlabamaWorks Conference! Hear from industry experts on recruitment and retention initiatives and inspirational leaders as we reimagine workforce for the [...]
Gov’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities Awards Nominations Open
The Alabama Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities is seeking nominations for its annual Statewide Awards, which recognize the contributions and successes of people with disabilities, and those businesses that provide opportunities for [...]
Alabama Records Record Low Unemployment
MONTGOMERY (May 20, 2022) – Governor Kay Ivey on Friday announced that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted April unemployment rate is 2.8%, down from March’s rate of 2.9%, and well below April 2021’s rate of 3.6%. April’s [...]
Alabama STEM Council to Strengthen STEM Teacher Prep Through UTeach
BIRMINGHAM, May 24, 2022 -- The Alabama STEM Council will direct an initial $4.5 million legislative appropriation to launch four new UTeach STEM teacher preparation programs at fully accredited public Alabama colleges and universities and [...]
Etowah County Project Search Graduation
May 10, 2022 - Etowah County s Project Search program celebrated the graduation of nine [...]
Gadsden State Launches CDL Training on Ayers Campus
May 10, 2022 - Gadsden State Community College today celebrated the launch of Commercial Driver's License (CDL) training on their Ayers Campus in Anniston. The college has been working closely with regional industry partners [...]
Randolph-Roanoke Career Tech Center Holds Job Expo
(May 4, 2022) - The Randolph-Roanoke Career Tech Center held its 2022 Senior Job Expo today. Forty regional business and industry partners were on hand to visit with more than 250 area high school [...]
East Alabama FAME Celebrates 2022 Graduates
The East Alabama FAME Chapter (Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Technology) is happy to celebrate the 2022 graduates of the East Alabama FAME program at Gadsden State Community College. The students began their journey five [...]
Alabama Unemployment Ties Historic Low in March
Friday, April 15, 2022 MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Friday announced that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted March unemployment rate is 2.9%, down from February’s rate of 3.0%, and below March 2021’s rate of [...]
STEM Council Opens Externships for Teachers
The Alabama STEM Council is happy to announce that applications are open for teachers who wish to participate in the 2022 Teacher Externship Program. The goal of a Teacher Externship is to help teachers [...]
2022 Worlds of Work Photo Gallery
The 2022 World of Work career expo was held on March 15, 16, and 17 and was a great success as students attended in-person for the first time since 2019! More than 8,000 eighth-graders [...]
New Business & Industry Survey Released by AlabamaWorks
March 10, 2022 - AlabamaWorks, in partnership with the Alabama Workforce Council and the Governor's Office of Education and Workforce Transformation, is conducting a survey and we need your help! The goal of this [...]
Application Period Open for Cardinal Foundation Scholarships
Gadsden, Ala. -- The Cardinal Foundation will award more than $34,000 in scholarships to qualified Gadsden State Community College students for the 2022-23 academic year. Scholarships may be applied toward tuition, fees and books. [...]
Region 2 WIOA Stakeholder Meeting Set for February 10
Governor Kay Ivey will soon be submitting the two-year modification plan for Alabama's 2020 Combined Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Plan which covers program years 2020-2023. The modifications must be submitted prior to [...]
Alabama Employers to See U.I. Tax Cut
MONTGOMERY – Following passage of the pandemic relief spending funds by the Alabama Legislature, Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced that most Alabama employers will see a 29% tax cut in their [...]
Unemployment Continues to Hold at 3.1% for December
MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted December unemployment rate is 3.1%, unchanged from November’s rate, and below December 2020’s rate of 4.7%. December’s rate [...]
Alabama’s November Unemployment Holds Steady at 3.1%
(December 17, 2021) MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted November unemployment rate is 3.1%, unchanged from October 2021, and well below November 2020’s rate [...]
October Unemployment Holds Steady: Wage and Salary Employment Hits Yearly High
November 19, 2021 MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted October unemployment rate is 3.1%, unchanged from September, and well below October 2020’s rate of [...]
2021 East Alabama BEST Robotics Competition Results
November 15, 2021 - East Alabama BEST Robotics competition events were held last week, November 8-12. This year's events were once again held virtually. Teams competed in the areas of Marketing Presentations, Virtual Exhibit [...]
2021 Regional Hiring Fair Photo Gallery
The 2021 East AlabamaWorks Regional Hiring Fair was held on Tuesday, November 2 at the Oxford Civic Center. 50 regional employers participated in the event and saw more than 130 active jobseekers. Enjoy this [...]
2022 Governor’s Survey of Employer Competencies Now Open
TAKE THE SURVEY HERE! November 1, 2021 - Governor Kay Ivey and the Governor’s Office of Education and Workforce Statistics are conducting a survey to identify the occupational characteristics of the most in-demand jobs [...]
Alabama Office of Apprenticeship Launches Online Dashboard
Alabama Office of Apprenticeship Launches Interactive Dashboard to Promote Apprenticeships (October 25, 2021) - The Alabama Office of Apprenticeship (AOA) has recently launched an interactive dashboard to promote registered apprenticeship expansion in Alabama. Developed [...]
September Unemployment Holds at 3.1%
October 22, 2021 MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted September unemployment rate is 3.1%, unchanged from August, and well below September 2020’s rate of [...]
Alabama Narrowing the Skills Gap While Making Strides in Skills Based Hiring
STUDY SHOWS ALABAMA NARROWING SKILLS GAP WHILE MAKING STRIDES IN SKILLS BASED HIRING Second Alabama Statewide Survey of Employer Talent Dynamics Background The Governor’s Office of Education and Workforce Transformation and Alabama Workforce Council [...]
“Employer Brand” More Important than Ever in Today’s Hiring Environment
Companies spend thousands – even millions – of dollars developing ‘brand’ recognition for their products. Slogans, iconic logos, memorable jingles, etc. But, how much time and effort have you spent on developing your company’s [...]
Heflin Hiring Fair Photo Gallery
East AlabamaWorks was happy to collaborate with the Heflin Industrial Development Board, the Cleburne County Chamber of Commerce, and the Anniston Career Center for a hiring fair for Heflin and Cleburne County residents. The [...]
Region 2 CTE Directors Win Governor’s Innovator Award
MONTGOMERY, Ala –The 2021 AlabamaWorks! Innovator Awards were presented by Governor Ivey and Deputy Secretary of Commerce Ed Castile on Wednesday, September 22 at the AlabamaWorks! Virtual Conference. The awards were developed to highlight people [...]
Photo Gallery – Gadsden Job Fair 2021
The annual Gadsden Job Fair was held on Tuesday, August 24 at The Venue in Gadsden. The job fair is sponsored by The City of Gadsden, Councilman Thomas Worthy, and the Gadsden Career Center. [...]
Agenda Set for Alabama’s Virtual Workforce Conference
AlabamaWorks! 2021 Virtual Conference: Building a New Normal - September 21-22, 2021 COVID-19 has had a profound impact on millions of people around the world and has changed the landscape of every industry while [...]
July Unemployment Drops to 3.2%, Wages Hit New Record High
August 20, 2021 MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey and Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted July 2021 unemployment rate is 3.2%, down from June’s rate of [...]
Two East Alabama Colleges Announce Plans to Dismiss Student Debt
(From The Anniston Star) +++++++++++++++++++ Talladega College and Central Alabama Community College have announced plans in a pair of news releases to clear debt for students. For Talladega College, the school will clear $925,666 [...]
ADOL To Replace Unemployment Claims Tracker System
August 18, 2021 ADOL UC CLAIMS TRACKER TO BE REPLACED BY CLAIMANT PORTAL MONTGOMERY – The Alabama Department of Labor (ADOL) announced today that the UC Claims Tracker, which was launched last year in [...]
Registration Open for AlabamaWorks Virtual Conference Sept 21-22
2021 AlabamaWorks Virtual Workforce Conference - September 21-22, 2021 COVID-19 has had a profound impact on millions of people around the world and has changed the landscape of every industry while highlighting challenges in [...]
Regional CTE Conference A Success!
(Oxford, AL) – Career Technical Educators from all around the East AlabamaWorks workforce region (Alabama Workforce Region 2) converged on Oxford, Alabama last week for the 2021 Career Tech Educators Conference. East AlabamaWorks is [...]
Meet Your Region 2 Community College Presidents
(July 7, 2021) Here in the East AlabamaWorks region (Alabama Workforce Region 2) we are proud to have three excellent Alabama Community Colleges that serve our region and partner with us to provide workforce [...]
Make Your Meetings More Productive, Efficient and Engaging
In the world of business and industry, we all attend a lot of meetings! Stakeholder meetings, team meetings, planning meetings, meetings about when to hold the next meeting – you get the idea! Now [...]
State Unemployment Rate Continues Post-Pandemic Drop in May
(June 18, 2021) MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted May unemployment rate is 3.4%, down from April’s rate of 3.6%, and well below May [...]
Mohawk Industries Announces Expansion of Randolph County Operation
Roanoke, Alabama - (June 3, 2021) Mohawk Industries plans to introduce yarn production at its Roanoke manufacturing facility, creating 130 jobs in the Randolph County community and expanding the company’s investment in the East AlabamaWorks [...]
Alabama Unemployment Rate Drops to 3.6% in April; Wages at Record High
MONTGOMERY – (May 21, 2021) Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted April unemployment rate is 3.6%, down from March’s rate of 3.8%, and well below April [...]
WBL Seal of Excellence – Call For Submissions
(May 11, 2021) - The Alabama Office of Apprenticeship is now accepting submissions for the First Annual Governor's Work-Based Learning Seal of Excellence Awards! The state's workforce recovery is focused on training Alabamians for [...]
Disaster Unemployment Available in Calhoun, Clay & Randolph Counties
(April 28, 2021) MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that workers who became unemployed as a direct result of severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes in Bibb, Calhoun, Clay, [...]
Alabama Unemployment Continues Decline in March
(April 16, 2021) MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted March 2021 unemployment rate is 3.8%, down from February’s rate of 4.0%, yet above March [...]
Community Foundation Disaster Fund Accepting Donations
March 26, 2021 (Anniston) - Due to the devastation from the recent severe weather, we are accepting donations to the Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama's Disaster Response Fund. The Community Foundation will be working [...]
Alabama Unemployment Hits 4.0% for February
(March 26, 2021) MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted February 2021 unemployment rate is 4.0%, down from January’s rate of 4.3%, yet above February [...]
Alabama Robotics Technology Park Announces VR Classes
(March 25, 2021) - The Alabama Robotics Technology Park (RTP) in Tanner, Alabama is pleased to announce the availability of virtual reality classes to new and existing clients. This new offering allows a client’s [...]
Alabama’s January 2021 Unemployment Rate is 4.3%
MONTGOMERY – (March 15, 2021) Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted January 2021 unemployment rate is 4.3%, down from December 2020’s revised rate of 4.7%*, and [...]
Alabama to Participate in Mixed Earner UC Program
MONTGOMERY - (March 3, 2021) Alabama has elected to participate in the Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation (MEUC) program. This program is part of the Continued Assistance Act (CAA) which provides extension provisions to CARES [...]
AlabamaWorks to Host Talent Development Conference
MONTGOMERY - Alabama is hosting a virtual event with workforce and education leaders from all 50 states next month aimed at preparing America’s workforce for the future. The 2021 Alabama Interstate Talent Development Convening, [...]
Alabama Workforce Council Releases Annual Report
February 2021 - The ALABAMA WORKFORCE COUNCIL has released its annual workforce report. The report chronicles the ups and downs of employment and workforce development in a year that featured economic and social disruption [...]
New Flyer Unveils New Accelerate Anniston Program
St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA – January 27, 2021: (TSX: NFI) New Flyer of America Inc. (“New Flyer”), a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. (“NFI”), one of the world’s leading independent global bus manufacturers, today announced [...]
State Unemployment Rate Continues Downward Trend in December
(January 22, 2021) MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted December unemployment rate is 3.9%, down from November’s rate of 4.4%, and above December 2019’s [...]
Koch Foods Announces $16 Million Expansion in Gadsden
January 19, 2021 - Gadsden, AL – Koch Foods has announced a nearly $16 million expansion and 135 jobs that will make the company Etowah County’s second-largest business employer. The company is investing $15.9 [...]
Regional Workforce Profiles Released
MONTGOMERY, Ala – (January 12, 2021) Under the leadership of Governor Kay Ivey, Alabama set the ambitious attainment goal of adding 500,000 credentialed Alabamians to the labor force, surpassing the national labor force participation [...]
ADOL Begins Paying CARES Act Extension Benefits
(January 6, 2021) MONTGOMERY – The Alabama Department of Labor began processing payments for the CARES Act extensions provided for in the recently enacted H.R. 133, including the additional $300 weekly Federal Pandemic Unemployment [...]
Non-Traditional Student / High Demand Occupation Scholarship Offered
The Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama is reminding students and parents that the Arthur F. Toole, III & Judy D. Toole Scholarship Fund is available to individuals with a high school diploma or General [...]
ADOL Announces New Phone Appointment System
MONTGOMERY – (December 23, 2020) The Alabama Department of Labor is announcing a new phone appointment system for unemployment compensation claimants who need assistance with their claims. The new phone system will debut on [...]
Alabama Unemployment Continues to Decline
MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted November unemployment rate is 4.4%, down from October’s revised rate of 5.7%, and above November 2019’s rate of [...]
Unemployment Work Search Requirements Return on Jan 1
MONTGOMERY – As previously announced, ADOL will reinstate work search requirements for unemployment compensation recipients beginning January 1, 2021. Earlier in 2020, when the Coronavirus pandemic began, ADOL waived the work search requirement for [...]
East Alabama BEST Robotics Winners Announced
December 2020 - Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the East Alabama BEST Robotics hub was still able to conduct its annual robotics competition for schools throughout the region. Many hubs chose not have a competition [...]
Child Labor Laws Clarified by ADOL
December 8, 2020 CHILD LABOR LAWS REMAIN THE SAME FOR VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON STUDENTS With students bouncing between virtual and in-person learning during the pandemic, the Child Labor section of the Alabama Department of [...]
Some UI Benefits Set to Expire December 26
MONTGOMERY – (December 3, 2020) Many unemployment compensation beneficiaries will see their benefits end on or before December 26, 2020, according to federal program guidelines. All unemployment compensation programs created by the CARES Act [...]
Meadows Named Interim Executive Director of Newly Established Alabama STEM Council
Montgomery, AL – Ed Castile, Deputy Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce and Director of AIDT announced that Lee Meadows, PhD has been named interim executive director of the newly established Alabama Stem [...]
State Department of Ed. Releases 2020 CTE Report
Montgomery, Ala. – The Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) has released the annual Career and Technical Education (CTE) Impact Report. The report details CTE statistics, curriculum and credentials, workforce initiatives, and more for [...]
October Unemployment Rates Drops to 5.8%
MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted October unemployment rate is 5.8%, down from September’s revised rate of 6.7%, and above October 2019’s rate of [...]
Work Search Requirement Resumes Jan 1, 2021
MONTGOMERY – (November 13, 2020) Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington is reminding unemployment compensation recipients that the previously waived work search requirement will be resuming at the beginning of the year. Earlier [...]
State Unemployment Rises to 6.6% in September
(October 16, 2020) – Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted September unemployment rate is 6.6%, up from August’s rate of 5.6%, and above September 2019’s rate [...]
East AlabamaWorks Partners with New Flyer of America for Anniston Workforce Development Program
St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA – September 28, 2020: (TSX: NFI) New Flyer of America Inc. (“New Flyer”), a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc. (“NFI”), one of the world’s leading independent global bus manufacturers, today [...]
Alabama Labor Secretary Named Board Chair for NASWA
September 24, 2020 MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington was installed as the Board Chair for the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) yesterday. National Association of State Workforce Agencies [...]
Alabama Unemployment Rate Continues Recovery in August
(September 18, 2020) – Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted August unemployment rate is 5.6%, down from July’s rate of 7.9%, and above August 2019’s rate [...]
US Unemployment Falls to 8.4% in August
9/4/2020 - Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 1.4 million in August, and the unemployment rate fell to 8.4 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. These improvements in the labor market [...]
Alabama Begins Lost Wages Assistance Payments
MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey and Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington have announced that Alabama will begin paying the Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) Program on September 3, 2020. The LWA Program was [...]
Alabama Extended Benefits to Expire August 29
MONTGOMERY – The Alabama Department of Labor announced today that the Extended Benefits (EB) program will expire on August 29, 2020. ADOL will continue to pay these benefits through September 19, 2020. This is [...]
July Unemployment Rate Comes in at 7.9%
MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted July unemployment rate is 7.9%, up from June’s rate of 7.6%, and above July 2019’s rate of 2.8%. [...]
Alabama to Apply for Lost Wages Program
August 18, 2020 – Governor Kay Ivey and Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that Alabama will submit its application to participate in the Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) Program which was [...]
Registration is Open for the AlabamaWorks Virtual Workforce Conference
MONTGOMERY, Ala – COVID-19 altered many plans in 2020, one of those being the state’s premier workforce event – the AlabamaWorks Conference! Recognizing that challenges facing the state’s workforce still need to be addressed and [...]
ADOL Warns of Unemployment Compensation Fraud
MONTGOMERY – The Alabama Department of Labor is warning Alabamians receiving unemployment compensation to be wary of fraud and to protect their personal identifying information. Unemployment compensation fraud has always occurred, but instances are [...]
Alabama Workforce Council Launches Behavioral Health Survey
MONTGOMERY, Ala – AlabamaWorks! and the Alabama Workforce Council (AWC) have partnered with the Alabama Department of Mental Health, the University of Alabama and the Vital Initiative to conduct a statewide survey on workplace health. Vital is a research, [...]
AlabamaWorks Webinar – Monday, July 27
Join the Alabama Workforce Council for another AlabamaWorks Webinar Series event on Monday, July 27 at 9:30 a.m. Join the webinar for a discussion and demonstration of the new Benefits CLIFF Tool (Career Ladder [...]
Alabama’s June Unemployment Drops to 7.5%
July 17, 2020 MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted June unemployment rate is 7.5%, down from May’s revised rate of 9.6%, and above [...]
$600 Unemployment Extra Set to End July 25
For Immediate Release: July 13, 2020 MONTGOMERY – ADOL is reminding all unemployment compensation claimants that Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), the additional $600 federal benefit granted by the CARES Act, will expire on [...]
Virtual Job Fairs Set for July 15, 2020
East AlabamaWorks and many of our regional workforce partners are working together to bring you a pair of VIRTUAL JOB FAIRS for people looking for employment in the Healthcare or Manufacturing industries! These online [...]
Common Issues and Mistakes Regarding Unemployment Compensation
The Alabama Department of Labor has identified some common mistakes and issues that relate to unemployment compensation claims during this COVID-19 pandemic.
State Sees Drop in Unemployment as Businesses Reopen
MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted May unemployment rate is 9.9%, down from April’s REVISED rate of 13.8%, and above May 2019’s rate [...]
AlabamaWorks! and Alabama Workforce Council Launch Survey to Further Identify In-Demand Jobs and Skills
MONTGOMERY, Ala – AlabamaWorks! and the Alabama Workforce Council (AWC) are pleased to announce the Governor’s Survey of Employer Competencies. This new tool will survey business owners in each sector and region of the state to assist the [...]
June 10th Job Fair Draws 377 Jobseekers
June 10, 2020 - As the COVID-19 continues its negative impact on East Alabama employment, there is light at the end of the tunnel as many area businesses and industries have continued to hire [...]
Skilled Industrial Job Fair Set for June 10
East AlabamaWorks is proud to join forces with a number of East Alabama organizations to present a job fair for those seeking employment in a skilled industrial environment. Despite the continuing effects of the [...]
April Unemployment Reaches 12.9% – ADOL Pays Out More Than $1B in Claims
May 22, 2020 - Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted April unemployment rate is 12.9%, up from March’s revised level of 3.0%, and above April 2019’s [...]
ADOL Distributes More Than $372 Million In Unemployment Claims; Representing 64% of COVID-19 Related Claims
April 27, 2020 – Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that ADOL has disbursed more than $372 million in unemployment compensation benefits. Alabama is now paying benefits under all three programs [...]
Refusal to Return to Work Could Cost Benefits
April 23, 2020 - The Alabama Department of Labor is reminding unemployment claimants that if their employer calls them back they must accept work. To remain eligible for unemployment benefits, federal law requires that [...]
March Unemployment Rate Comes in at 3.5%
April 17, 2020 MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted March unemployment rate is 3.5%, up from February’s record low level of 2.7%, and above March 2019’s rate of 3.3%. March’s [...]
Gadsden State Announces New Dates for Summer Semester and Mini-Terms
April 9, 2020 - Gadsden State Community College President Dr. Martha Lavender has announced that instruction will continue online, the summer semester will be delayed, and commencement ceremonies have been rescheduled. “We are doing [...]
ADOL Begins Paying $600 Federal Stimulus Benefit
April 9, 2020 - Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today Alabama has begun paying the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) benefit that was established with the passing of the federal CARES [...]
ADPH Activates COVID-19 Information Hotline and Email Address
March 23, 2020 - The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has activated a statewide informational hotline and a general information e-mail address to field questions from the public about the novel coronavirus COVID-19. [...]
Career Center Locations Set to Close to Prevent Spread of Virus
March 17, 2020 All Alabama Career Center Locations Will Close to the Public; Services Still Available by Phone or Email MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that beginning [...]
ALABAMA ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR WORKERS IMPACTED BY COVID-19
March 16, 2020 MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that Alabama workers who are not able to work due to COVID-19 will be eligible to file for unemployment [...]
Keynote Speakers Announced for April’s AlabamaWorks! Conference
Organizers of the AlabamaWorks! Conference today announced three keynote speakers for the April event - Dr. Kevin Elko, Joseph Seymour and Governor Kay Ivey. Dr. Kevin Elko will be the keynote speaker on [...]
December Unemployment Maintains Record Lows
News Release For Immediate Release: January 24, 2020 Alabama Ends 2019 by Maintaining Record Low Unemployment Rate Nearly 84,000 More People Working; Wages at Record High MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington [...]
Inteva Products Workers May Be Eligible for Benefits
For Immediate Release: January 9, 2020 Inteva Products Workers May Be Eligible for Benefits GADSDEN – Workers of Inteva Products, Gadsden, who were engaged in activities related to the production of sunroofs may be [...]
2020 Census is Important for All Alabamians!
The 2020 US Census is coming up in the spring, and it is more important than ever for EVERY Alabamian to be counted! Having an accurate census count for Alabama is vital to many [...]
First Quarterly Meeting of 2020 Set for January 21
Workforce Region 2's first Quarterly Workforce Meeting of 2020 has been set for Tuesday, January 21 at Gadsden City High School in Gadsden, Alabama. Hosted by East AlabamaWorks, the Quarterly Workforce Meetings bring together [...]
Driving STEM at Talladega Superspeedway
Back in October, East AlabamaWorks helped with the first ever Driving STEM program at the Talladega Superspeedway! More than 550 students from local schools came to the brand-new Talladega Garage Experience to learn about [...]
Successful Hiring Fair Held in East Alabama
The 2019 East Alabama Regional Hiring Fair was held on Tuesday, November 19 at the Oxford Civic Center. A large number of jobseekers participated in the hiring fair where more than 40 local companies [...]
Alabama Sets New Unemployment Record in October
November 15, 2019 Alabama Reaches Brand New Record Low Unemployment Rate of 2.8% Wage and Salary Employment Tops 2.1 Million; Job Growth Surpasses National Growth Again MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Labor Secretary [...]
East Alabama BEST Competition Results
East Alabama BEST Competition Results - Saturday, November 2, 2019 Most Photogenic Robot 3rd – Pleasant Valley High School 2nd – Wellborn High School 1st – Oak Mountain High School Teamwear Design 3rd – [...]
How FAME is Filling the Workforce Gap
By Lisa Morales, Director, East AlabamaWorks The critical functions of many manufacturing companies are controlled by industrial automation professionals. If there is a disruption of service in any of the high-tech, computer controlled systems, [...]
Alabama Sets Another Unemployment Record
For Immediate Release: October 18, 2019 Alabama Reaches a New Record Low Unemployment Rate of 3.0% MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today that Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted September unemployment rate [...]
October is Careers in Construction Month
East AlabamaWorks is celebrating Careers in Construction Month all throughout the month of October! Alabama is considered a High Demand state when it comes to construction-related jobs. As a matter of fact, according to [...]
East AlabamaWorks is New Hub for BEST
The East AlabamaWorks Regional Workforce Council has been announced as the new home for the BEST Robotics Regional Hub in East Alabama. The not-for-profit workforce development agency will oversee all aspects of the East [...]
Workforce Workshop Held in East Alabama
(August 28, 2019) - The Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association and East AlabamaWorks were happy to present the East Alabama Workforce Workshop on August 28 at the AIDT Honda Training Center in Lincoln, Alabama. A [...]
East AlabamaWorks Adds Third Staff Member
The East AlabamaWorks Regional Workforce Council has added a third member to their workforce development team. Abby Howle joins the East AlabamaWorks team as Workforce Program Coordinator. Abby comes to EAW from the Cleburne [...]
EAW and AAMA to Host Workforce Workshop
East AlabamaWorks and the Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association are teaming up to present an East Alabama Workforce Workshop on Wednesday, August 28, from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., at the AIDT Honda Training Center [...]
East Alabama FAME Holds Signing Day
(August 6, 2019) The East Alabama FAME program welcomed sixteen students into its inaugural Industrial Automation Technology program at Gadsden State Community College. The students were chosen following a rigorous interview and selection process. [...]
CTE Instructors and Counselors Explore Talladega County Jobs
CTE instructors and counselors from schools throughout the Talladega County School System participated in an Educator Workforce Academy as a professional development day activity on Monday, August 5. Thirty-five educators joined sponsors East AlabamaWorks [...]
More Record Setting Employment Numbers Announced for June
News Release For Immediate Release: July 19, 2019 MONTGOMERY – Alabama set five new economic records in June, Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced today. June’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 3.5%, setting a [...]
Motus Announces $15 Million Plant to Locate in Gadsden
July 16, 2019 From the office of Governor Kay Ivey - Governor Kay Ivey today announced that Motus Integrated Technologies, a Tier 1 supplier of automotive interior products to the world’s automakers, has selected [...]
Gadsden Career Center & Councilman Thomas Worthy Present Annual Job Fair
The Gadsden Career Center and Gadsden City Councilman Thomas Worthy are presenting their annual Job Fair on Tuesday, August 27 at The Venue at Coosa Landing in Gadsden. See the flyer below for the [...]
HIRED Program Holds Graduation
Attalla - Etowah County's HIRED program recently held a graduation at Etowah High School. Five students graduated from the program which helps high school dropouts continue their education and earn their high school diploma [...]
Alabama Continues To Break Employment Records in May
MONTGOMERY – Record numbers of people are in the labor force and working, along with a record high job count, and a record low unemployment rate, according to May 2019 economic data. “Since day [...]
Governor Presents Action Plan for Workforce Development
(June 2019) Alabama’s state capitol sits on a prominent hill in Montgomery traditionally known as Goat Hill. The moniker goes back to the early days of the state’s history when the area known as [...]
Record High Employment and Jobs Count for Alabama in April
(May 17, 2019) MONTGOMERY – For the fourth month in a row, more people are working in Alabama than ever before. In April, preliminary estimates account for 2,139,379 people working, up by 32,335 from [...]
East AlabamaWorks Project Wins Education Award
The Boys and Girls Club Career Academy hosted by East AlabamaWorks, Alabama Power, and Gadsden State Community College was recently honored with the The Chamber of Gadsden & Etowah County's Excellence in [...]
New Education 2 Employment Program Launches in Etowah County
(April 2019) As previously discussed in this column, the East AlabamaWorks Regional Workforce Council operates under the umbrella of the Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama. As the fiscal sponsor for East AlabamaWorks, the Foundation [...]
Touch-A-Truck with the Imagination Place Children’s Museum!
Join Imagination Place for their first annual Touch-a-Truck day! Kids will be able to see and touch all kinds of real-life trucks and heavy equipment! Admission is $10 per child (ages 2-17) FREE for [...]
May Job Fair Set for Talladega County
The Talladega County Career Coaches, the Sylacauga Chamber of Commerce, and East AlabamaWorks present a Talladega County Job Fair on Wednesday, May 1. The job fair will be held at the J. Craig Community [...]
Etowah County Community Job Fair
East AlabamaWorks is partnering with The Chamber of Gadsden & Etowah County, the Alabama Career Centers, Gadsden State, the Etowah County Commission, and the City of Gadsden to jointly present a Community Job Fair [...]
Ed Castile to Speak at Regional Workforce Meeting
The East AlabamaWorks Regional Workforce Council is proud to welcome Mr. Ed Castile, Deputy Secretary - Alabama Department of Commerce, as a guest speaker during their Quarterly Workforce Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April [...]
Honda “Gear Up Your Career” 2019
Check out a few photos from Honda of Alabama"s "Gear Up Your Career" event at the Honda Indy Grand Prix at Barber Motorsports Park! East AlabamaWorks had a blast supporting our Honda Partners...and taking [...]
High School Students Look For Jobs at CCCA Hiring Fair
(Jacksonville, AL) High school seniors from throughout Calhoun County gathered at the Jacksonville Community Center to look for post-graduation jobs. The students were joined by more than 30 local companies that all have current [...]
4th Graders Explore Careers with East AlabamaWorks Field Trip
Fourth grade students from Walnut Park Elementary School in Gadsden enjoyed a special field trip on Friday, March 22 courtesy of East AlabamaWorks. Nearly 40 fourth graders were treated to a fun, career exploration [...]
Informational Meetings Set for New East Alabama FAME Program at Gadsden State
Two informational meetings have been set for students and parents who are interested in learning more about the new East Alabama FAME program at Gadsden State Community College. The meetings will be held on [...]
Students Explore Careers with WOW!
(Oxford, Alabama) Students from all around East Alabama got a chance to get hands-on with potential careers during the 4th Annual Worlds of Work career exploration event. Over the course of three days, March [...]
Alabama Workforce Council Releases Annual Report
CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE REPORT IN PDF FORMAT
Gadsden State Cardinal Foundation Offering Scholarships
The Gadsden State Cardinal Foundation is accepting applications for several scholarships to provide tuition assistance to qualified Gadsden State Community College students. The scholarships may be applied toward tuition, fees and books for the [...]
Op-Ed from Fitzgerald Washington
An Op-Ed from Alabama Secretary of Labor Fitzgerald Washington January 30, 2019 As we reflect on the ending of yet another year, and step out into the new one, we here at the Alabama [...]
Free Construction Skills Class Coming to East Alabama
East AlabamaWorks is proud to support a new construction trade training program in East Alabama! Starting in February, the Associated General Contractors of Alabama (AGC) and the Construction Education Foundation of Alabama (CEFA) will [...]
Cleburne County Educators Participate in Workforce Day
(January 4, 2019) More than 170 teachers and administrators from the Cleburne County School System participated in an Educators Workforce Day as part of their January professional development day activities. The event was hosted [...]
Interest vs. Reality in Student Career Choices
(December 2018) When it comes to workforce development, there are many branches to our tree. Each day finds those of us who work in the field venturing out on a different branch, and most days [...]
New Flyer Opens $25 Million Expansion
New Flyer Opens $25 Million Expansion From AL.com - North America’s largest transit bus manufacturer now has a bigger presence in Alabama. New Flyer of America Inc. today cut the ribbon on a $25 [...]
New East Alabama-Made Honda Passport Debuts at Auto Show
November 28 - The new Honda Passport SUV made its official debut yesterday at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show. The new Honda model will be produced at Honda's plant in Lincoln, here in [...]
Etowah County Project SEARCH Open House – Nov 27
Etowah County Project SEARCH will hold an Open House on Tuesday, November 27 at Gadsden Regional Medical Center. The event will be held from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Project SEARCH is a unique [...]
Don’t Discount Underemployed Workers in the Labor Pool
(November 2018) Every month, the government sends out detailed reports about Labor Market numbers – especially the unemployment rate. But a number you don’t often hear about is the underemployment rate. Generally speaking, you [...]
Boys & Girls Club Members Participate in Workforce Academy Event
(Gadsden, AL) Members of the Boys and Girls Club of Gadsden, Alabama participated in a two-day Workforce Academy event sponsored by East AlabamaWorks, Alabama Power, and Gadsden State Community College. Twenty high school junior [...]
East AlabamaWorks Holds Regional Hiring Fair
(Oxford, AL) East AlabamaWorks partnered with the Alabama Career Centers in Anniston, Gadsden, and Talladega and with WEAC TV24 to present a Regional Hiring Fair for Alabama's Workforce Region 2 on November 1. Sixty-five [...]
EASTMAN Presents “If I Had A Hammer” Program to Anniston 5th Graders
(October 31, 2018) Fifth grade students at Golden Springs Elementary School in Anniston have fun learning about Math and Construction skills through teamwork, creativity, and real-life application by participating in a building project through [...]
Alabama Labor Secretary to Attend East AlabamaWorks Hiring Fair
STATE LABOR SECRETARY TO ATTEND REGIONAL HIRING FAIR Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington will attend the East Alabama Regional Hiring Fair coming up on Thursday, November 1 at the Oxford Civic Center. [...]
What Is East AlabamaWorks?
(October 2018) East AlabamaWorks (EAW) is a not-for-profit organization that represents the state’s Alabama Workforce Council in Region 2 (Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Etowah, Randolph, and Talladega counties). The mission of East AlabamaWorks is [...]
East AlabamaWorks Holds Quarterly Workforce Meeting
(October 16) East AlabamaWorks held its Quarterly Workforce meeting on Tuesday, October 16th at the AIDT/Honda Training Center in Lincoln, Alabama. The meeting featured a panel discussion with Honda VP of Manufacturing, [...]
Sylacauga Educators Begin Workforce Academy
(October 16) A select group of educators from the Sylacauga City School system attended the first of four Educator Workforce Academy days today. The group began their day with a breakfast presentation by Josh [...]
East AlabamaWorks Announces Regional Hiring Fair
REGIONAL HIRING FAIR SET FOR OXFORD CIVIC CENTER East AlabamaWorks is proud to partner with the Alabama Career Centers in Anniston, Gadsden, and Talladega, and with WEAC TV24, to present a REGIONAL HIRING FAIR [...]
Photo Gallery – Cleburne County Schools College & Career Fair
September 28, 2018 - Junior and Senior Students from Ranburne High School and Cleburne County High School enjoy a day to explore their next steps into college or a career! [...]
“Soft” Skills Lacking In Alabama’s Workforce
(September 2018) In our last column we discussed the current workforce gap and the fact that Alabama is suffering from a severe lack of well-trained workers in most of the skilled labor occupations. For [...]
Workforce Development Takes Centerstage
(August 2018) You hear it all the time – there is a jobs problem in Alabama. What you don’t hear is that a lack of jobs is not the problem. The real problem is [...]
More Educators Take Workforce Industry Tours!
(9.21.2018) Nearly one hundred educators from the Calhoun County School System and the Jacksonville City School System joined East AlabamaWorks, The Calhoun County EDC, and the Calhoun County Chamber to become the largest group [...]
2019 Worlds of Work Dates Announced
2019's Worlds of Work Expo is expanding to three days and has been set for March 12, 13 and 14! Last year's event saw nearly 8,000 eighth graders and eleventh graders from every school [...]
Oxford Counselors Tour Local Industries
Guidance counselors from Oxford City Schools joined with officials from the Calhoun County Economic Development Council, East AlabamaWorks, and the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce for another day of Educators Workforce Readiness tours. The [...]
$80 Million Investment and 200 Jobs Headed to Gadsden
From al.com - William Thornton The expansion, announced at the Gadsden City Council today, involved the City of Gadsden's Economic Development team and Gadsden Industrial Development Authority. Construction is expected to start this month. [...]
BEST Robotics Announces 2018 Dates
The 2018 BEST Robotics Competition has announced its dates for the 2018 event! Kickoff Day - Saturday, September 15 - 8am-1pm (Open House Style) - CACC-Talladega Practice Day - Saturday, October 20 - 8am-1pm [...]
Truck Drivers and Nurses Continue As Most Sought After Employees
Truck Drivers and Registered Nurses Continue to be the Most Sought- After Employees According to HWOL (Help Wanted Online) Data MONTGOMERY - Data collected and analyzed by the Alabama Department of Labor’s Labor Market [...]
Workforce Readiness Event Held for Calhoun County School Officials
(Calhoun County) - East AlabamaWorks recently teamed up with the Calhoun County Area Chamber and Visitors Center and the Calhoun County Economic Development Council to provide Workforce Readiness Industry Tours for the [...]
Etowah County Educators Tour Local Facilities
(Gadsden) - A group of educators from Etowah County gathered recently to learn more about workforce needs and the needs of local business and industry by attending an Educators Workforce Academy presented [...]
Honda Announces an Additional $54.8 Million in Lincoln Expansion
Honda Manufacturing of Alabama continues to grow its Lincoln, Alabama operation with a new multi-phase project that will improve flexibility, strengthen efficiency, and prepare for future technologies. The latest phase, announced earlier this week, [...]
Alabama #1 In Business Climate Ranking
The State of Alabama has been ranked #1 for Best Business Climate by BUSINESS FACILITIES, a publication that focuses on economic development. Click the link HERE to read the whole article. [...]
Gov. Ivey Helps Etowah County Celebrate Megasite
June 26, 2018 Carl Brady (Etowah County, Alabama) – Governor Kay Ivey and other state officials join with Etowah County leaders today to celebrate the Little Canoe Creek Megasite. The celebration was in recognition [...]
Three Cars Made in Lincoln, Alabama on “American Made” Top 10
FROM AL.COM 6/22/2018 By William Thornton wthornton@al.com Cars.com, the digital automotive marketplace, is out with a list ranking the most American-made cars on the market. And three vehicles made in Alabama are in the top 10. [...]
Prince Metal Stampings Seeking Applications for Gadsden Facility
AIDT is seeking applicants for a pre-employment training program for Production Associates. Prince Metal Stampings USA Inc. manufactures automotive metal stamping products such as body stampings, chassis, straps, and assemblies. Their operations include presses [...]
Kronospan Announces Additional Expansion and 150 New Jobs
The Calhoun County Economic Development Council announces an additional $101 million investment by Kronospan in Oxford, Alabama. Last week, the Oxford City Council approved an amendment to a tax abatement that was granted in [...]
East AlabamaWorks Welcomes New Program Manager
Carl Brady joins the Community Foundation staff as the Workforce Program Manager for East AlabamaWorks. Carl comes to the Foundation after thirty-one years of serving East Alabama in the broadcasting industry…twenty years in Radio [...]
AIDT Leadership Skills Training
Alabama Industrial Development Training regularly provides free Leadership Skills Training courses at locations throughout Alabama. The courses are designed to help employers develop worker who can move into new supervisory or management positions. Most [...]