Developing STEM programs in Chilton County Schools has become more of focus in recent years, and now recent high school graduates will have the opportunity to take the next step toward a future career.

Pre-apprenticeship programs are being offer for manufacturing careers through Central Six AlabamaWorks!, which operates under the Central Six Development Council, Inc.

Applications are being accepted throughout July with the programs scheduled to begin in August.

There are four pre-apprenticeship programs that interested applicants can choose from.

The options include, Central Six Industrial Maintenance program, Lawson State Machine Tool Technology program, Lawson State Welding Technology program and Jefferson State Welding Technology program.

Applicants must be accepted as a student at either Jefferson State Community College or Lawson State Community College in order to take part in any of the programs.

Jefferson State’s Jefferson Campus in Birmingham offers industrial maintenance and welding technology courses, while Lawson State’s Bessemer Campus offers a curriculum in machine tool technology to go with its industrial maintenance and welding technology classes.

Central Six is a nonprofit organization created in 2013 to serve as a regional funding collaborative working with the state, as well as, local businesses and school systems to create a “21st Century workforce.”

According to Morgan Bell, workforce programs specialist with Central Six AlabamaWorks!, participants in the pre-apprenticeship programs will learn the fundamental skills needed to succeed in a manufacturing environment and will have the opportunity to interview with participating apprenticeship employers in the summer of 2021.

“Do you know a recent high school graduate or someone looking for the start of a new career?” Bell asked. “A manufacturing pre-apprenticeship could be the perfect opportunity.”

Anyone with questions about the manufacturing pre-apprenticeship or wanting to learn more about being an employer partner in the industrial maintenance apprenticeship program can contact Bell at mbell@centralsix.org or call 334-303-0591.