What do arc welders, nurses, aerospace engineers, computer software developers, truck drivers, chemists, millwrights, crane operators, and virtually all occupations have in common? They all require skills – specific skills – and increasingly, specific technical skills.

The Alabama Community College System (ACCS) is the primary provider of skills training in the state through its associate degrees, career-technical, and short-term training programs, and the chancellor of this system, Dr. Freida Hill, wants to know “how are we doing?”

With its three-fold mission of academics, workforce training, and adult education, the ACCS is poised to take a leadership role in the state’s economic future by preparing citizens for employment.

A major part of that role is already in progress – strategic planning with grassroots level input.

To gather input from local community leaders, educators, elected officials, and other stakeholders, “Chat with the Chancellor” events have been scheduled throughout the state. The Chats piggy-back on regional workforce development council meetings and pose a series of questions to attendees basically asking: “How can the Alabama Community College System better serve your community?”

On Thursday, June 30, at 10:30 a.m., an opportunity to “Chat with the Chancellor” will take place at the Demopolis Higher Education Center.

The purpose of the “Chat” is to listen to the stakeholders and community leaders in the area and to discuss with them how Alabama’s education and workforce systems can better accommodate the education and training needs of business and industry.

“The comments and suggestions made at this “Chat” will help us not only tailor programs and activities specifically for Region 6’s workforce training needs but also to develop a strategic plan for our community college system,” Dr. Hill said. “Two-year colleges are conveniently located, affordable, flexible, and well-equipped. We need to know from you what you need from us.”

Region 6 is composed of Dallas, Marengo, Perry, Sumter and Wilcox counties. For more information, contact the ACCS communications office at (334) 293-4512 or (334) 293-4513, or email dpecom@dpe.edu.