ASPIRE 2030 Initiative: Advanced Manufacturing and Workforce Skills Training Centers across Alabama

The Alabama Community College System launched the ASPIRE 2030 Initiative in mid-2020 as a system-wide initiative to inspire community-focused strategic planning for capital improvement projects. ASPIRE stands for “achieving systemwide potential through increases resources and engagement,” proving to create potential for improving Alabama’s local colleges and communities.

As part of this initiative, Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) partnered with ACCS to design workforce development and training centers on several campuses throughout the state.

All of the facilities will house tens of thousands of square feet and feature laboratories, classrooms, offices, multipurpose rooms, tool and storage rooms, a storm shelter, testing suite, kitchen and serving area, break room and restroom areas.

While the design of the buildings is similar, the programs housed within each facility vary based on those offered by each host college and the needs of the surrounding workforce. Some of the programs offered include mechatronics, industrial automation, precision machining, mechanical design technology, additive manufacturing and electronics engineering. All of these are high-demand, high-wage industries that many students have shown interest in, with apprenticeship-style programs in many of the development centers.

Most of the facilities feature glass viewing areas that offer prospective students and industry partners laboratory visibility during tours; a safety entrance for students loading and unloading from cars or buses; and a digital display with information for job seekers and industry partners.

Ribbon cuttings were recently held for three of these workforce development centers, for which GMC is the architect, in addition to providing civil engineering, environmental, landscape architecture and geotechnical engineering services.

Gadsden State Community College

Gadsden State Community College cut the ribbon on its Advanced Manufacturing and Workforce Skills Training Center that will provide hands-on learning in a high-tech environment for students seeking careers in specialized fields in July 2024.

In addition to the initial ASPIRE 2030 funding, Gadsden State was granted $12 million in the Education Supplemental Appropriation Bill approved by legislators and Alabama Governor Kay Ivey. This additional funding was used to complete construction and provide equipment.

A recent economic impact study shows that Gadsden State Community College provided over $200 million in added income in 2021 to their service area, which includes Cherokee, Cleburne, Etowah, Calhoun and St. Clair counties. The study also shows that Gadsden State supports 3,555 jobs in the community.

Classes began in the new building for the first time in the 2024 Fall semester.

Snead State Community College

Snead State Community College cut the ribbon on its Workforce and Career Institute in September 2024, focusing on industrial systems technology to further develop students with business and industry specific training.

Snead State identified its direction for increasing its presence in career technical education. The result was a focus on offering needed skills training in specific areas such as HVAC/R, machine tool technology and welding technology, as well as short-term non-credit workforce development opportunities, and to offer the training and education in a premier facility.

Classes will be held in the institute for the first time in the 2025 Spring semester.

Northeast Alabama Community College

The new Northeast Alabama Community College Workforce Development Skills Training Center brings a state-of-the-art modern workforce training to Alabama citizens in the northeast region of the state after cutting the ribbon in October 2024. It allows NACC to expand the capacity of existing high-demand workforce programs and continues its focus on developing new pathways that align with regional workforce needs.

NACC’s Workforce Development Skills Training Center has adaptable space – flexible to interchange up to six programs as the local workforce needs. Many crafts areas specific to the building construction industry will also be highlighted, such as HVAC, plumbing, carpentry, industrial electronics, mechatronics and more. The facility will also feature a community meeting room to host industry partners, space for Skills U.S.A. and administrator office space.

NACC students will begin classes in the new building for the second half of the 2024 Fall semester.

Projects at Drake State Community College and Calhoun Community College are under construction, with plans to open to students in 2025.