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Educate and Train

“The Education & Workforce
Development Center”
Equipping Our Community
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The Education & Workforce Development Center works to help each participant reach their full potential by offering classes, trainings, workshops, professional development events and opportunities, through collaborative partnerships.  

For more information on upcoming offerings, please call  205-328-2420.

All classes and trainings are held at the Center of Hope in the Education Workforce Development Center (E&WDC) located at 2015 26th Avenue North Birmingham, AL 35234.

Education

GED 

Ged and High School Diploma Option preparation is offered in partnership with Jefferson State Community College. The class is held Monday – Thursday 9:00 am-1:00 pm. A valid state of Alabama ID is preferred. The ged Ready Test (Pre-test) and the ged Test are free of charge through the “See for Free" program. Upon completion of the ged, each participant will receive a ged certificate and a free 3-hour class at Jefferson State Community College (books and fees not included). Ged participants must master skills Reading in Language Arts, Social Studies, Science and Math before taking the ged test. The participants focus on one subject at a time and test on that subject when the ged Ready (Pretest) indicates “likely to pass". The High School Diploma Option is for those participants who failed the high school exit exam or lack a minimum of credits toward achieving their high school diploma. A participant can achieve a high school diploma through the ged class or through the Ready to Work program. 

Literacy Remediation 

Literacy Remediation is presented in partnership with the Literacy Council of Central Alabama. Literacy Remediation is currently presented in a virtual format where participants meet at the E&WDC for their Zoom session with the tutor. Individuals possessing their own devices are welcome to use them from their location, or at E&WDC, provided the staff is aware. Upon completion of the participant's assessment with the Literacy Council's tutor, he/she will be assigned a 1-hour session date and time, usually on Tuesdays or Thursdays between 1:00pm -3:00pm. 

Job & Career Readiness

WorkFaith Birmingham 

In this 2-week job readiness program participants will create a resume, as well as templates for a cover letter and thank your letter; formulate a “30-second commercial" to effectively answer that dreaded interview question, “Tell me a little about yourself?"; become familiar with 21st century job search techniques; brush up on interview skills and participate in mock interviews designed to ensure the participant conveys his message effectively to an employer. Participants must be work ready – be able to present a valid state ID and Social Security Card and have no pending court cases that will interfere with employment and be able to pass a drug screen. 

Alabama Career Essentials (ACE) 

In this free training course designed by the Alabama Community College System to provide Alabamians with relevant, innovative, and industry-driven employability skills training to better prepare individuals for the Alabama workforce. The main goal of the new ace course is to ensure current and future workers are equipped with the skills necessary to enter the 21st-century Alabama workforce. Participants will learn skills in the following areas: 

  • Computer Literacy 
  • Effective Communication 
  • Employment Preparation 
  • Math for Work 
  • Resolving Problems in the Workplace 
  • Healthy Workplace Environments 
  • Financial Literacy 
  • Workplace Etiquette 
  • Workplace Safety 

The new ace curriculum is based on the most current acccp and Technical Advisory Committee's five most in-demand career clusters. The course will be delivered online, hybrid, and in-person and can be customized to meet the training and educational needs of business and industry.