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LBW Community College announces the Alabama RISE Program developed to train individuals with disabilities for a career.

RISE, which stands for reemerging ideas for successful employment, is the vision of LBW Community College President, Dr. Brock Kelley to offer career exploration to an underserved population so they may successfully enter the workforce.

“Seventy percent of persons with disabilities are not actively in the workforce,” Kelley said. “LBW can help alleviate the workforce shortage throughout our service area by providing education and training for these individuals to close that gap.”

Partnerships with local employers and K-12 systems are a key component of the program. During their senior year, students will explore career opportunities through virtual reality technology provided by the College.

“We have three industry-leading businesses in Covington County that agree to offer summer internships to participating students,” said Dean of Workforce Development and Strategic Initiatives, Jennifer Hall.

Following the internship, each student will complete the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) Certified Logistics Associate training offered at no cost through LBWCC Adult Education and Workforce Development.

“Our Career Pathway program is dedicated to providing quality education and training to prepare our communities’ citizens for the workforce,” Hall added. “The Alabama RISE program will bring us one step closer to reaching Governor Ivey’s Success Plus Initiative goal of adding 500,000 highly skilled employees to Alabama’s workforce by 2025.”

The 2020 Business Education Alliance research report, Education Matters revealed a projected worker shortage of 199,000 in 2026 and 273,000 in 2035 in Alabama.

“We’re very happy to see LBW taking innovative steps to continue strengthening talent pipelines and ensuring that paths to good jobs and promising careers are available to all students,” said Statewide Project Manager for the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship, Meredith Smith. “Our office is proud to be part of the development of this project.”

For more information about the Alabama RISE Program, contact Dean of Workforce Development and Strategic Initiatives, Jennifer Hall at jmh@lbwcc.edu.