Special to the Times

MONROEVILLE, Ala. – Alabama Southern graduated its second class of Focused Industry Training (FIT) students recently on the Monroeville campus.

Alabama Southern’s FIT program has trained students from all of the counties in its service area, including Monroe, Clarke, Washington, Wilcox, Marengo and Choctaw.

FIT is a 10-week, 400-hour course providing its participants entry-level skills necessary for employment with many of Alabama’s businesses and industries. Training is available to earn up to $12 an hour. FIT participants successfully completing the course requirements will be awarded the Alabama Certified Worker Certificate.

The course exposes students to things such as Microsoft Word and Excel, time management, manufacturing techniques, work ethics, resume building and interview skills.

More than 23 students have graduated from the FIT program. More than 70 percent of Alabama Southern’s FIT graduates are currently employed.

The next class for Focused Industry Training will begin Jan. 10.

A limited number of scholarships are available with a $10 per day transportation allowance. Candidates must be at least 18 years old, preferably with a high school diploma or GED. Candidates must also complete a reading and math skills assessment to be considered for enrollment. Refresher training in reading and math is available for potential trainees.

For more information on how to enroll in Fit, contact Stuart Lee at Alabama Southern at (251) 575-3156, ext. 258 or Angelis Smith, ext. 642.

Photo Caption 1: The first graduating class of the Focused Industry Training program included students from Monroe, Clarke, Washington, Wilcox, Marengo and Choctaw counties students pictured are (not in order): Brandon Butler, DeRhonda Mack, Tiffany Dale, Rafael McMillan, Skyler Woods, Sherry Ray, Deborah Williams, Gail Pettway, Joann Laffitte and James Bettis. Also pictured are Alabama Southern employees: Stuart Lee, FIT Instructor; Martha McNeil (Instructor for the first FIT class); Dr. Kandis Steele, Vice President of Academic Affairs; Angelis Smith, Dean of Adult Education and Dr. John A. Johnson, President of Alabama Southern Community College.

Photo Caption 2: The second graduating class of the Focused Industry Training program also included students from Monroe, Clarke, Washington, Wilcox, Marengo and Choctaw counties students pictured are (not in order): Margie Wilson, Teresa Jackson, LaShonda Tucker, Keyonta Nicholson, Buford Davis, Oscar Hattaway, Crystal Johnson, William Brown, Tempie Robinson, Shamir Aaron and James Atwood. Stuart Lee (far left) instructor for the course and Dr. John A. Johnson (far right), President of Alabama Southern Community College are also pictured. Graduates not pictured are: Belinda Lambert and LaVita Lett.