West Alabama Works!
Project Title
For general support
Date
Jun. 06, 2024
Duration
26 months
Description
Established in 2014, West AlabamaWorks! (WAW) is a business and industry-led workforce development council, addressing the needs of business and industry in the region. With a mission to enhance economic prosperity, WAW connects job seekers with training and opportunities, emphasizing outcomes and impact. The organization collaborates with over 250 representatives from various sectors and industries, working through a Board of Directors, Regional Workforce Council, WIOA board, and five industry clusters. WAW focuses on building a highly skilled workforce through strategic industry clusters, impactful programs, and advocacy for systemic change. Through initiatives like Career Connect and outreach efforts, WAW connects over 27,800 individuals to job opportunities, expanding platforms for justice-involved populations and youth. Collaborating from pre-K to high school, WAW ensures students have pathways to education and employment, hosting events like Worlds of Work and Regional Signing Day. Despite challenges in rural counties, WAW addresses communication gaps, emphasizing community partnerships and wrap-around services to overcome obstacles and empower individuals in the nine-county region of West Alabama. Success for WAW lies in recruiting, training, and empowering a highly-skilled workforce, ultimately improving the community and combating generational poverty.