Wallace State receives $1.8 million in grants for Workforce Development

Hanceville, AL — Wallace State Community College announced today that it has received almost $1.8 million in grants from the Alabama Community College System (ACCS) for Workforce Development.

The bulk of the funds, $1.1 million, were awarded to continue to provide career technical dual enrollment scholarships for area juniors and seniors. These scholarships allow high school students to concurrently earn high school and college credits while training for in-demand careers in several technical and health science programs at the college.

The remainder of the funds will be distributed as follows:

• More than $158,000 will go toward CDL training in Oneonta. The funds will be used to purchase. New tractor/trailer to be stationed at Oneonta, allowing the program to run monthly in Blount County. With the support of Skills for Success, Blount County residents may complete their CDL training free of charge.
• $142,000 to support capacity expansion of the Diesel Technology and Advanced Automotive Technology programs. Purchases from these funds include eight engine adaptor plates and seven internal combustion engines. This equipment enables multiple students to practice hands-on skills simultaneously. The grant application included support from Velocity Truck Centers, Truckworx, and Bardy Kilmury Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram.
• Almost $140,000 to update the Diagnostic Medical Sonography equipment to industry standard. Purchases will include two standard ultrasound machines, a portable ultrasound machine, and an ergonomic vascular table. This proposal was supported by Huntsville Hospital.
• More than $133,000 to support the Mechatronics, Electronics and Robotics Technology program. These funds will be used to purchase two Fanuc CR 5iA Collaborative robots, which teach operators how to work with robots safely. They are operated using a simple touchscreen designed with drag-and-drop technology. The are ideal for manufacturers with little to no robotic experience. Such machines are already in use with Kamtek, Rehau and Topre, with at least three more WSCC supporting employers expected to adopt this technology within the next two years. The equipment will be used to train students and incumbent workers alike.
• $50,000 was provided to Wallace State Adult Education to continue its ability to offer the Alabama Career Essentials (ACE) Certificates. ACE is a free training course designed by the ACCS to provide Alabamians with relevant, cutting-edge, and industry-driven employability skills training to better prepare individuals for the Alabama workforce. These funds will be used to employ an ACE instructor at the Hanceville campus.
• $50,000 will support Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) exploration activities for area elementary, middle, and high school students. These activities include the competitive STEAM Academy offered to area fifth graders, the week=long annual STEAMmer Camps offered each summer, and the VEX Robotics Competitions offered on the Hanceville campus each fall. This year, Wallace State will host the regional and state tournaments.