Under a bill proposed by House Republicans — and co-sponsored by Rep.
Alan Baker of Brewton — a new Alabama Future Workforce Initiative would
create a $10 million scholarship fund for dual enrollment programs in
state high schools.
“It’s no secret that Alabama is on its way to being the most business
friendly state in the nation. Our hard work over the past three years
has yielded tremendous results when it comes to recruiting new
industries and helping existing industries to expand,” said Speaker of
the House Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn. “If our job creation success is going
to continue, we must ensure that our students graduate with the skills
to fill the high-paying, 21st century jobs that we are working to
recruit.”
Baker said the bill would be a “win-win” for students and for workforce development.
“I’m excited for the opportunity for education and for businesses,”
he said, noting that if students are introduced to technical skills in
high school, they are less likely to drop out of school.
Up to 80 percent of any contribution can be directed by a donor to a
specific career-technical dual enrollment program or course at any
2-year institution, which Baker said would give businesses a chance to
meet their workforce training needs.
In Brewton and East Brewton, dual enrollment programs continue with
Jefferson Davis Community College, but students have to pay their own
way. In the past, funds from the Neal Trust, which ended in 2010, had
helped pay the tuition.
Brewton City Schools Superintendent Lynn Smith said students can take
technical classes only at Reid State in Evergreen or in Atmore. One
T.R. Miller student is currently in dual enrollment for technical
classes.
Rep. Mac Buttram, R-Cullman, the bill’s sponsor, highlighted the
demand for a highly skilled workforce and the impact that
career-technical dual enrollment can have on a student’s education.
“It is a fact that there are high-paying, highly skilled jobs
available in our state that businesses are unable to find qualified
workers to fill,” said Buttram. “The Alabama Future Workforce Initiative
is an investment in our workforce, an investment in our economic
development efforts, and an investment in the young men and women of
today who will comprise our future workforce of tomorrow.”
The Alabama Future Workforce Initiative would create a $10 million
scholarship program for high school students to participate in
career-technical dual enrollment programs. The individuals and
businesses that donate to the scholarship program would receive a state
income tax credit of up to 50 percent of their total contribution, the
bill’s sponsors said. The tax credit cannot exceed 50 percent of the
contributor’s total Alabama income tax liability and cannot be more than
$500,000 per tax year.
House Republicans said in a news conference Tuesday that the
career-tech dual enrollment program is the “perfect tool” to train a
21st century workforce.
In 2013, 2,100 students participated in Alabama’s career-tech dual
enrollment scholarship program – only 6.7 percent of the 31,500 students
eligible to participate. Republicans said that with an additional $10
million in scholarship funds, 9,542 new students could participate in
the program.
Debate is set to begin on the bill at 9 a.m. today (Wednesday( in the House Ways and Means Education committee.
Written By Kerry Bean of the Brewton Standard
