Wallace State to host event for women interested in learning more about skilled trade programs

Hanceville, AL —Wallace State Community College’s Center for Career & Workforce Development will host “Empowered: Women in the Trades,” a Lunch and Learn on Thursday, June 8, at 11 a.m. The event will take place on the 12^th Floor of the James. C. Bailey Center on the college’s main campus in Hanceville. This event is open to anyone interested in learning more about skilled trade programs and their career outlooks from the perspective of current Wallace State students and women working in a variety of industries.

This event is designed to increase awareness of women in skilled trades and educate women interested in learning what it is like to work in male-dominated industries such as manufacturing, automotive technology, and HVAC. 

“Women are under-represented in many of the skilled trades, and we want them to see there is room for them in these careers,” said Wallace State’s Bethany Campbell, FAME Coordinator and Success Coach. 

The doors will open at 10:30 a.m. to allow 30 mins for those interested in networking with current students as well as women working in-field. The event will kick off at 11 a.m. as a panel style lunch and learn. Lunch will be sponsored by RE Garrison, where one of the panelists, Briana Morgan is currently working as a trailer technician. Morgan is also a current Wallace State student in the Diesel Technology program. 

Other panelists in attendance will be Hannah Clemmons, Welding Maintenance Team Member at YKTA, Jasmine Davison, Operations Manager at Busted Knuckle Off Road and former welder, Rebecca Nunez, CNC Machinist at Blue Origin, and Sidney Pair, former Engineering Technology student and Certification Instructor at Wallace State. 

During lunch the panelists will answer various questions about their experience working as a woman in a male-dominated industry and provide advice to those interested in doing the same. After the panel has concluded, all women in attendance will be invited to tour their prospective program of interest. 

“Skilled trades are in high-demand and are high-wage,” said Wallace State’s Anna Beard, Diesel by Distance Project Coordinator.  “Women can excel in these rolls and earn a great living wage if they choose to pursue one of these career paths. We want them to know of the opportunities available to them.”

Skilled trade programs at Wallace State include Advanced Automotive Technology, Agricultural Production/Horticulture, Construction Management, Diesel Technology, Electronics Technology, HVAC, Machine Tool Technology/Computer Numerical Control/Tool & Die, Engineering Technology and Welding.  

To sign up for the June 8 event, visit https://rb.gy/nd5t5 or contact Bethany Campbell, 256.352.8372, Bethany.campbell@wallacestate.edu.

Registration for summer and fall semesters is currently open. Summer 2023 classes begin May 24. Fall 2023 classes begin Aug. 18. For more information, visit www.wallacestate.edu, call 256.352.8000 or come by Lion Central in the lobby of the James C. Bailey Center Monday-Wednesday 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or Friday 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

About Wallace State 

Wallace State Community College (Ala.), a member of the Alabama Community College System, is a comprehensive community college in north central Alabama offering more than 200 options in academic, health and technical programs of study leading to an associate degree, certificate or transfer, as well as non-credit training and adult education. An Achieving the Dream Leader College, nationally-recognized by the Aspen Institute among the top 10 percent of institutions according to student outcomes, ranked by Southern Business and Development among the Top 3 institutions in the South for workforce development, named a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing Center and the National Security Administration, rated the Top Online Community College in Alabama, a Military Friendly Institution and an All-Steinway School, Wallace State is an outstanding place for students to pursue their education and career goals. Classes are offered online and on campus, day, evening and on weekends, with numerous start dates each year. Visit Wallace State’s beautiful main campus located on 300-acres in Hanceville, Ala., our satellite location in downtown Oneonta, Ala., find us online at www.wallacestate.edu, or call 256.352.8000.