Snead State Community College will modernize and upgrade equipment for use in labs for the Industrial Technology program thanks to an appropriation from the Education Trust Fund.

Snead State received $360,900 to use for equipment to train students to meet the high demand for industrial maintenance skilled workers. According to Alabama’s Hot Jobs Demand listing, North Alabama shows a need for workers in the field of industrial technology. Careers in this field are high paying, averaging close to $45,000 annually.

“This program is one the College offers for both credit and non-credit students seeking employment in this field. We’re excited to implement the equipment upgrade, so we can be in a better position to train a quality, highly-sought-after workforce,” said Snead State President Dr. Robert Exley.

Because the project is a joint venture between the College’s Academic Department and Workforce Development Office, the equipment upgrade will benefit the community’s transitional workforce, including dislocated, unemployed, underemployed and part-time workers; the emerging workforce, such as high school and GED graduate; and the current workforce, including incumbent workers who are employed but in need of training to be competitive, in need of retraining, or in search of a higher paying, higher skilled, higher demand job.

The funding will enhance Industrial Technology degree program courses such as Introduction to Robotics, Commercial/Industrial Wiring, Basic Electricity, Fundamentals of Industrial Hydraulics and Pneumatics, Principles of Industrial Mechanics, and more. Workforce Development course to reap the benefits of the funding include Industrial Electicity, Hydraulic Maintenance, Pneumatic Maintenance and more.

Snead State partnered with local business and industry leaders in presenting the grant proposal. Supporting partners include Americold and Progress Rail, both in Albertville, Warren Distribution and Pilgrim’s, both in Guntersville, Marshall County Manufacturers Association, Marshall County Economic Development Council and Marshall County Schools.
Snead State is currently enrolling students for the spring semester. Anyone interested in enrolling in Industrial Technology may contact Snead State Instructor Steve Bowen at steve.bowen@snead.edu or (256) 840-4132.