With a little help from Alabama Southern Community College and their focused Industry Training course nine people are now ready to enter the work force. The course celebrated their graduation Friday at the FIT Center on Cedar Street in Demopolis. The Focused Industry Training Center is where Alabama Southern helps train and enhances personal skills for anyone willing to make the commitment to better prepare himself or herself for the workforce.

Tamika Dial, FIT Instructor, said the day was a celebration of a new beginning for the students.

“Today we are here celebrating their graduation,” Dial said. “They have all completed the 10 weeks of training and are ready to enter the workforce.”

Dial said the training took dedication and time for the students, but was well worth it.

“Each student in the class must complete 400 clock hours and successfully pass the state Certified Workers Test.,” Dial said. “I had nine participants in this class and some of them have already found jobs. One has a job at Weyerhaeuser. We have another training for a production job with Hyundai and two more are expected to start employment with New Era.”

Students are also taken care of during the program. Dial said each student is given a small amount of money along the way.

“Each student is also given a $10 stipend a day for the course,” Dial said. “That is all part of participating.”

Students of the program were very complimentary of its teachings. Graduate Bridgett Hodges said she has benefited greatly from the class.

“I think the class was very effective,” Hodges said. “It taught us about all kinds of things like quality control, production and manual assembly. I really learned a lot.”

Syretta Duke, another graduate of the program also said she benefited.

“Currently, I am training for a position at Hyundai,” Duke said. “The teachings I received here really helped. They really prepared me to go out and get a job.”

Those who were unable to participate in this class will have another chance soon. The next class will begin on April 11 and offer FIT as well as some other courses.

Other programs include English as a second language, Adult Education (GED) and job readiness.

For more information on courses please contact Dial at 334-289-1500.Register early because they can only take 10 at a time.

The FIT Center is located in the Webb shopping center on Cedar Avenue, next door to Webb Realty. The office has 10 computers office and meeting tables.