SAWDC: provides professional training opportunities

Congratulations to the Certified Nursing Assistant graduates, and to SAWDC for making it happen.

The Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Council (SAWDC) is part of a network of ten regional workforce development councils in the State of Alabama. The Councils are business-driven and work with their member counties to develop a regional strategic plan and encompassing workforce development system to support local economic activities and job development.

The Gulf Communities Initiative of the Community Foundation of South Alabama, sponsored by the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, awarded the Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Council a grant for $190,000. The grants funds are being used to help support the Bayou Support Center (BSC) – a “one-stop” service center focusing on workforce training, case management, general family support, and transportation services to residents affected by the BP oil spill.

The BSC serves oil spill victims, with the majority reporting income levels below the poverty line, and also small Asian and Hispanic communities. The funding provided by the grant is helping the Bayou Support Center case managers conduct outreach efforts to individuals for whom English is a second language, and is also providing professional training opportunities for clients through the Recovery Response Committee.

The Recovery Response Committee consists of multiple partner organizations and meets to discuss the needs of the community and the utilization of resources. The RRC offers training and certification classes for Welding, Certified Nursing Assistant (C.N.A.), Commercial Driver License, General Adult Education, English as a second language, Coast Guard licensing, and Maritime education among others.

The Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Council was established to provide a direct link to the workforce needs of businesses and industries at the local level. The Community Foundation of South Alabama is proud to be a part of that, and would like to congratulate the 13 Nursing Assistants and 13 welders that have received and completed their training and certifications.