State grant to aid Franklin County

By Staff
Jason Cannon, Franklin County Times
Good news just keeps getting better for the labor force in Franklin County.
Yesterday, the State of Alabama announced 50 unemployed and unskilled workers in northwest Alabama will be given the opportunity to learn the skills in electrical industrial maintenance positions thanks to a grant awarded by Gov. Bob Riley.
The Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments will use the grant to provide scholarships for the training program, which will be offered at the Hamilton Campus of Bevill State Community College and at Northwest Shoals Community College.
Individuals in Franklin, Colbert, Lauderdale, Marion and Winston counties are eligible for the training.
"The need for skilled workers is increasing as more companies are choosing to call Alabama home," Riley said. "I am pleased we can provide hard-working Alabamians the opportunity to prepare themselves for higher-paying jobs and a brighter future."
Surveys of area industries by the council have indicated a great need for more workers skilled in electrical industrial maintenance. Employees with such training can save companies thousands of dollars in equipment downtime and repairs, council officials said.
Participants for the training will be selected based on the results of tests measuring basic workplace skills.
The 26-week course is divided into four tiers so participants with previous electrical experience can enter the program at the level closest to their current skills.