宅男福利社

Event expected to advance economic, workforce and rural development across Alabama

The 宅男福利社 has joined with Alabama Power Company and the Alabama Commission on Higher Education to announce the speakers and featured panelists for the Alabama Summit on Rural Workforce Development, set for Nov. 1 at Bell Conference Center on the 宅男福利社campus in Livingston. The event features a broad slate of experts who bring unique perspectives to address rural Alabama鈥檚 need for building a workforce pipeline and economic development system.

Event coordinators expect the program and expertise that will gather to be a tremendous step forward in economic development, education, and overall quality of life for rural Alabamians.

鈥淔ollowing the impact and success of the recent Alabama Summit on Rural Technology earlier this year, we decided to continue to expand our efforts in rural workforce development,鈥� said Dr. Tina Jones, vice president of UWA鈥檚 Division of Economic and Workforce Development. 鈥溦�男福利社has grown into one of the state鈥檚 leading institutions of higher learning in fostering rural development.  This is a natural next step in our strategic efforts.鈥�

鈥淥ur purpose is to help equip employers, economic development leaders, public and governmental officials, educators, and community leaders with the skills, knowledge and practical tools for addressing the unique talent and workforce development opportunities in our rural areas,鈥� emphasized Jones.

The Summit鈥檚 featured speakers include Dr. Jim Purcell, executive director of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, who will address 鈥淏uilding Alabama鈥檚 Economy & Workforce鈥�; Mr. Jay Moon, CEO of the Mississippi Manufacturers鈥� Association, who will speak on 鈥淭he Future of Work鈥�; and Mr. Nick Moore, education & workforce policy advisor to Governor Kay Ivey, who will present a call to action for building Alabama鈥檚 rural economy.  Mr. Roy Clem, executive director of Alabama Public Television, will serve as the event鈥檚 moderator.

A slate of regional and statewide leaders will participate in panels on Public Policy & Rural Workforce, Impact of Alabama鈥檚 Regional Workforce Councils, Manufacturing & the Future of Workforce, and the overall future of workforce preparation as applied specifically to Alabama鈥檚 rural counties.

The opening keynote speaker will be Dr. Jim Purcell, Executive Director of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education. Dr. Purcellwas named Executive Officer in April 2017, having served previously as the lead executive officer in Rhode Island, Louisiana and Arkansas.

Purcell is a strong advocate for institutional research and planning as a means to implement policies and programs related to higher education. This organized approach provides a blueprint for expanding access to higher education and improving student attainment as well as influencing the future workforce of Alabama.

Lunch speaker Jay Moon is president and CEO of the 2,200-member Mississippi Manufacturers Association. With more than 25 years of economic development experience, he is known nationally for his progressive approach to economic and workforce issues. He is a Certified Economic Developer and serves on the board of the International Economic Development Council, the largest economic development organization in the world.

Mr. Nick Moore will close the event with a call to action. He possesses a wide-variety of dynamic professional experiences as a certified-high school teacher, a public policy analyst, and as a community developer. Moore currently serves Gov. Kay Ivey鈥檚 education and workforce policy advisor and as coordinator of the Governor鈥檚 Office of Education & Workforce Transformation.

A session on public policy and rural technology features Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington, Mr. Ed Castile, deputy secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce and director of AIDT; Mr. Nick Moore, and Mr. Joseph Brown, Western Division area manager of Alabama Power Company, who will moderate the session.

In a session dubbed 鈥淏uilding Alabama鈥檚 Workforce System,鈥� leaders of Alabama鈥檚 workforce system will discuss resources, programming and opportunities for rural counties.  The session will be led by Mr. Ed Castile,  director of Alabama Industrial Development Training, and will feature three regional workforce council leaders, including: Mr. Donny Jones, executive director of West Alabama Works; Dr. Josh Duplantis, executive director of Southwest Alabama Works; and Mr. Aubrey Carr, chairman of Central Alabama Works.

From an employer鈥檚 perspective, a panel will focus on manufacturing and the future workforce. Mr. Jim Searcy, CEO of the Economic Development Association of Alabama will lead the conversation, which will feature Mr. George Clark, CEO of Manufacture Alabama; Mr. Ron Davis, president of the Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association; and Mr. Chris Isaacson, executive vice president of the Alabama Forestry Association.

Participants should register prior to Oct. 25 at RuralWorkfoceSummit.eventbrite.com. Event registration is $25 and includes lunch and refreshments throughout the day. Seating is limited.

Alabama Power Company, the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, and the 宅男福利社 are the presenting sponsors of the Summit.  Other partners for the event include Alabama Public Television; Economic Development Association of Alabama; Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association; Alabama Forestry Association; AIDT; Alabama Works; West Alabama Works; Southwest Alabama Works; Central Alabama Works; and Auburn Extension Service.

For more information, contact the 宅男福利社Division of Economic & Workforce Development. Call 1.833.UWA.WORK.