As printed in the Q1 2024 ACCS Alabama Minute Newsletter.
Alabama’s focus on expanding STEM education points to the necessity of training for high-skill positions in the state’s tech industry.
A unique group of students competing at Alabama’s community colleges may be the players the industry needs to keep up with demand.
Engineering design students like Gabby Zaragosa recently participated in the Tennessee Valley BEST Robotics Competition at Calhoun Community College. She became a robotics mentor to her former high school team, and now she’s one of the lead volunteers for the competition.
“I knew I wanted to do something with my hands,” said Gabby. “I wanted to be involved because I love robotics.”
The high school teams that participate in this free program develop technical skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities that prepare them for the workforce and gain certifications at community colleges like Calhoun.
“It’s very exciting,” said Faith Plunkett, an instructional technology coach at Decatur City Schools. “Why go to a four-year university when this is right here and it’s affordable and accessible to our students?”
Experts say robotics careers in the manufacturing industry pay 30% more than entry-level non-robotics manufacturing jobs, and some foundational elements required for these roles stem from the skills that students learn in robotics competitions.
Students get to experience a sport they enjoy. And when they graduate – employers get to recruit the talent they need.
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