A ribbon cutting for a new Maritime Welding Program at Bryant Career Technical Center was held on July 7th in Irvington, Alabama. The maritime welding training offered in South Mobile County has been made possible by a partnership between The Community Foundation of South Alabama, Mobile County Public School System and Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT).

A grant of $180,265 was awarded by The Community Foundation of South Alabama to AIDT to provide 180 scholarships for participants in a 10-week program of intensive welding techniques and ship-fitting. Mobile County Public School System contributed the land for the customized Mobile Training Units and AIDT made arrangements for instructors and training materials.

AIDT, an institution of the Alabama Community College System, encourages economic development through job-specific training. Day and evening classes will be offered with the goal of producing 98 successful graduations per year to feed the growing maritime industry in Mobile County.

Photo from left: Ed Castille, AIDT; Representative Spencer Collier; Steve Russell, Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce; Dauphin Island Mayor Jeff Collier; Senator Ben Brooks; Jim Kellen, Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Region 9; Cam Moore, AIDT; Thomas Davis, The Community Foundation of South Alabama; William Meredith, Mobile County Board of School Commissioners; and Larry Moulin, Mobile County Public School System.

 

July 2009