ALABAMA A&M and AUBURN UNIVERSITIES

EXTENSION ENHANCING WORKFORCE PREPARATION IN RURAL ALABAMA

AUBURN, FEB. 18, 2000---Even though the economic tide is rising for urban cities and towns in the South, many rural communities still suffer from inadequate educational opportunities, dwindling population bases and a multitude of other problems associated with rural decline.

Alabama is no exception.

"Companies are willing to locate in Alabama because we have resources and other advantages that make us attractive to them, says Dr. Jacquelyn Robinson, a community economic development specialist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. "However, before they make the final decision to locate, companies expect to see several things: adequate schools, sufficient health-care facilities, fire and police protection as well as safe neighborhoods."

The explosion of computer-based technology that has occurred within the last few years has added to these high expectations. Computers have contributed to a far more complicated work environment, and while many industries find small towns attractive, they don't want to locate in communities whose workforce has failed to come to terms with this new reality.

Increasingly, the economic success or failure of small communities boil down to one issue: workforce preparation.

With this idea in mind, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System has established a new Workforce Preparation program.

Made possible by a grant from the 4-H Council and the United Parcel Service, the program is designed to show local communities how to build coalitions comprised of citizens best prepared to deal with the problems associated with workforce preparedness.

"Basically, we help communities identify the stakeholders primarily concerned with workforce preparation," Robinson says. "In most cases, these include social service and school system personnel, municipal leaders, such as mayors, council members and county commissioners, key business and industrial leaders, and even young people.

While it sounds simple enough, Robinson says assembling such a team often can be challenging.

"Many civic leaders in small, rural towns are so busy putting out brush fires, they don't see the huge forest fire looming in the distance," she says. "Our training helps them step back and see the big picture.

Coalition building is only the first step in what Robinson stresses is a multifaceted approach. Once the team is in place, the next step involves team members assessing the current state of workforce preparedness in their communities and identifying what will be needed in the future to enhance this preparedness. Once this issue is addressed, the team then can move to the final, most important step: mapping out a long-term strategic plan.

While strategic plans share much in common, they vary from community to community depending on the circumstances, Robinson says.

"In some cases, towns may perceive a strong need for expanded career opportunities for young people," Robinson says. "Other communities will see a need for more adult education programs or closer cooperation with state agencies to provide workers with skills better suited to a particular industry. " Robinson adds.

Extension's Workforce Preparation is based on a "train-the-trainer" approach. Participants attending two days of intensive classroom instruction are encouraged to return to their communities and work with other residents in building a workforce coalition and developing a strategic plan.

Plans also are under way to construct a database on the Internet that will enable

Communities to share what they've done with other communities interested in constructing coalitions of their own.

For more information about the Extension Workforce Preparation Program, contact. Dr. Jacquelyn Robinson at (334) 844-5353.