As of now, Madison County students will be able to graduate with the expertise they need to become a skilled worker. Superintendent Matt Massey has started a new partnership between the Alabama Plumbers and Pipe/Gas Fitters Board and the Technical Center.

This will be the first program of its kind in the Alabama education system. This program is a response to the shortage of skilled workers in the plumbing and pipefitting industry.

“The average age of a skilled worker in Alabama is 59. These folks will be retiring soon, and we must do our part to help fill the void or we will be facing a major workforce skills gap.” Massey said.

This program is expected to bring more students out of high school, specializing in this specific field, with experience under their belt.

“The Plumbing and Pipefitting Program is a great opportunity to learn a skill in a hands-on environment. Students will be exposed to many local businessmen and women in the area and will leave high school with skills that can help them land a high quality job. Another benefit is that we believe this will be a template for other public [and] private workforce development programs to help our students become career ready.” Massey said.

Massey’s hopes for the program are to put Alabama on the map for workforce development.

“We want to be on the cutting edge of workforce development, making sure our students have the best opportunities to prepare them for a career,” Massey said. “We want to be open to evolving opportunities … so we can be responsive in a way that creates opportunities for our students and helps industry solve an existing issue.”