Tasked with charting a path to modernizing Alabama's workforce competitiveness, the commission has developed what it calls a “landmark plan” featuring a variety of recommendations to reshape the state's workforce development initiatives. Announced.

Established by the Alabama Legislature in 2019 and led by Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth, the 21st Century Workforce Commission focuses on, among other things, the state's economic hiring capacity, increasing labor force participation rates, and effectively training and hiring Alabamians. We are promoting development.

In addition to Ainsworth, Ainsworth was joined by U.S. Sen. Greg Reed, committee members Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Trussville) and Rep. Kelvin Lawrence (D-Hayneville), and chairman of the Alabama Business Council. Helena Duncan, CEO and CEO, attended. other legislators and committee members;

“Alabama is an economic recruiting leader in the Southeast, but to remain competitive we need historic and transformative changes to our workforce development system,” Ainsworth said Tuesday.

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“Our committee developed a plan to coordinate job training efforts so Alabama can seize new opportunities and connect all Alabamians with 21 people.^cent Employment of the century. These reforms will help make Alabama's workforce development the envy of the nation. ”

“It is an honor to work with a group of knowledgeable and passionate leaders who are dedicated to improving our state,” Ainsworth said. “Our work doesn’t end with this report, it ends when these reforms become law and Alabama is changed for the better.”

Sen. Pro Tem Greg Reed said the desired development depends on effective recruitment, training and employment of Alabamians.

“The lieutenant governor and the members of the commission can be proud of the work they have done,” Reed said. “We can take people out of second jobs and back into the workforce and into skilled jobs that provide meaningful careers and family-supporting income.”

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Rep. Danny Garrett, a member of the committee, believes Alabama's economy is doing very well in some areas, but is in a dire situation in others.

“I commend Governor Ainsworth’s leadership and all those who worked with us as lieutenant governor.”commission,” Garrett said. “Although Alabama is experiencing record economic growth and historically low unemployment rates, our labor force participation rate is among the worst in the nation.”

“We need to innovate our workforce development systems to provide opportunities for more workers.”

Lieutenant Governor Committee on the 21st^cent The Century Workforce plan includes the following recommendations:

Consolidating unaligned and overlapping workforce development agencies – Consolidate the Department of Commerce’s Office of Workforce Development, AIDT, and the Department of Labor into a new Alabama Workforce Development Authority (AWA) led by a Cabinet-level Secretary of Workforce Development appointed by the Governor.

Collaboration with Alabama Employers – AWA is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors, which advises the Governor and the Legislature on workforce priorities and helps hold state agencies accountable.

Alabama Workforce Development Plan – AWA will develop a regularly updated plan for how state agencies coordinate the recruitment, training, and employment of Alabamians.

Accountability for employee performance – The Alabama Workforce Development Plan includes benchmarks to measure the success of the state’s workforce agencies.

Workforce Pathways Diploma, Reinvestment in County Career Tech Center – Emphasize the value of career and technical education (CTE) by developing a diploma pathway that supports students in accessing skills training while in high school. Reinvest in her county's CTE centers so students can receive training for in-demand jobs.

Hiring for high-demand jobs – Alabama should increase and centralize funding within the AWA to hire orphaned and underemployed individuals. AWA and its recruitment partners provide individuals who are likely to return to work with information about pathways to existing, in-demand jobs and training through outreach targeted to their location and the media platforms they use. .

PCivil solutions to ublic barriers – AWA will seek to address barriers to employment by centralizing funding for nongovernmental organizations that serve job seekers and coordinating their efforts across Alabama’s workforce development system.

Facilitate access to military service transition scholarships – Urge state and federal leaders to remove barriers and restrictions that prevent former military, active duty, and reservists from taking full advantage of the funding they are entitled to for training that leads to meaningful careers.

childcare tax credit – Develop tax credits that encourage employers to fund child care and encourage child care providers to expand access and quality. Tax credits are available to employers who provide on-site childcare services or provide subsidies to employees for childcare costs.

Mental health and addiction avoidance programs – Enable law enforcement, district attorneys, and judges to develop or expand low-cost and no-cost programs to help individuals access treatment and recovery programs without negatively impacting their earning potential or career options. Make it.

housing tax credit – Tax credits serve as a catalyst to fund the construction and renovation of workforce housing units.

Austin Shipley is a staff writer at Yellowhammer News.