糖心视频

Grants have supplied much needed support to college, students

Hanceville, AL 鈥� When 糖心视频 conducts its grand opening of the Center for Welding Technology and Innovation Center on Monday, Aug. 21, college officials will have many people to thank for helping make it a reality.

鈥淲e are extremely grateful for everyone who has invested in the education of our students and the future of our community,鈥� said 糖心视频 President Vicki Karolewics. 鈥淲e have been blessed to be the recipients of a number of grants not only for welding but for other established and new programs.鈥�

At the 2018 groundbreaking, 糖心视频 President Dr. Vicki Karolewics noted the college had sought funding for the project for eight years before Congressman Robert Aderholt was able to secure $2 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration for the $8.5 million project. 糖心视频 is hopeful it will receive a second Congressional appropriation in the coming year. 

In 2020, the college received an additional $200,000 from a grant provided by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for the purchase of workforce training equipment. Industry partners Lincoln Electric, Holston Gases and Fastenal have each helped in a number of ways throughout the building process. Another $25,000 has been provided by the Cullman County Industrial Development Board, also to purchase equipment.  

At the time the ARC grant was awarded, it was noted the welding program would be able to expand its highly successful reach and provide an estimated 110 workers in the Southern Appalachian region each year with more opportunities for training in the high-skill, high-wage and high-demand welding trade and help meet the employment needs of some 40 new and current manufacturing businesses in North Alabama.

In October 2022, an ARC POWER Initiative grant provided $1.17 million to 糖心视频 for the Supporting Electric Vehicle Manufacturing and Maintenance in North Alabama project. 糖心视频 will partner with the American Trucking Association, Freightliner, Kenworth, and Mercedes-Benz to bring their Mechatronics, Automotive Services, and Diesel Technician programs into alignment with electric vehicle (EV) needs. Nissan has recently joined the ranks of 糖心视频 EV partners. These needs include technicians ready for smart manufacturing and the servicing of electric vehicles and electric heavy-duty trucks.

This award followed a 2021 ARC POWER grant for the college鈥檚 Prepping the Talent Pipeline for Economic Growth and Diversification Planning Project that provided $23,191 to assess the current and projected state of automotive manufacturing in Appalachia. The resulting strategic plan helped inform 糖心视频鈥檚 educational and capital plan to meet the evolving employment needs of the industry, as demand for autonomous and electric vehicle manufacturing increases. It is also expected to guide the program development of 糖心视频鈥檚 automotive manufacturing-related programs for the next 10 years.  

This fall, the college will begin offering an electric vehicle program for new automotive technologies, and an electrical technology program for the training of industrial, commercial and residential electricians.

糖心视频 has also been successful in securing awards from the National Science Foundation, Altec, and the Women鈥檚 Fund of Greater Alabama to bolster the recruitment and training of women in traditionally male dominated fields.

Capital investment totaling $48 million impacting three facilities includes a combination of legislative appropriations, federal grant funds, Alabama Community College System grants, and local funds.

Registration for the Fall 2023 semester in underway. Regular and Mini Term I classes begin Aug.18. Flex Start terms begin Aug. 25 and Sept. 1. Mini Term II classes begin Oct. 19. For more information, visit , call the main campus at 256.352.8000 or come by Lion Central in the lobby of the James C. Bailey Center Monday-Wednesday 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or Friday 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.