“MAPS” creates training courses ranging from adult education to high demand careers

MONTGOMERY, Alabama (WSFA) – Alabamians who are displaced, in low-wage career fields, or who are new to the workforce but face barriers can now get help navigating careers in demand.

Mobilizing Alabama Pathways, or MAP, is a skills-based workforce training program that will provide opportunities for nearly 8,000 workers. MAPs are short-term virtual training programs for high-demand jobs in Alabama.

The short duration of accredited programs allows students to determine if a career area is for them without spending months on a career path they might not enjoy

“Providing short-term degrees that turn into long-term degrees is a key strategy to achieving Alabama’s goal of adding 500,000 certified workers to the Alabama workforce. ‘by 2025,’ Governor Kay Ivey said of the MAP program. “I want to thank the chancellor [Jimmy] Baker and each partner for their leadership in building the Mobilizing Alabama’s Pathways program, which will help us create stackable career paths for our most demanded industries.

Students can complete accredited programs in less time than other college degrees. The first MAPs were created for high-demand, high-wage industries in the state, including healthcare, transportation and logistics, information technology, manufacturing, and construction.

Students can access MAPs through their local adult education provider after completing Ready to Work (RTW), an online training course that provides basic skills for success in most Alabama businesses and industries. . After completing the MAPs, students have the opportunity to participate in hands-on training through a variety of other training options.

Over the next few months, MAPS says additional industries will be added to the list of available training.

The program is the result of a federal grant that creates the Alabama Workforce Stabilization Program (AWSP), which provides collaborative work opportunities with nine partners: Governor Kay Ivey’s office; Alabama Workforce Council (AWC); Alabama Community College System (ACCS); Alabama Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA); Alabama Department of Labor; Vital; Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta; Alabama Office of Apprenticeship Pre-Apprenticeship Program; and AIDT.

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