Bevill State Unveils Plans for Career Academy
February 10, 2016
Bevill State Community College Administrators recently unveiled plans for a new program that will expose high school students to job opportunities in industry. The Bevill State Career Pathways Academy allows students in Walker, Fayette, and north Tuscaloosa Counties to encounter new career pathways through experiences in career fairs, exploration camps, internships, and industry relevant training.
“Career academies assist students in discovering training and education needed in today’s world. They offer an innovative approach in providing opportunities for developing and discovering career options. The plans that we have for Bevill State’s Career Pathways Academy will not only help our students in reaching individual goals, but will positively impact the economic growth of the communities we serve,” said Dr. Larry Ferguson, president of Bevill State Community College.
Participation in the BSCC Career Pathways Academy is open to currently enrolled high school sophomores in Fayette, Walker, and north Tuscaloosa counties who complete a Career Pathways Academy application and have at least a 3.0 grade point average. Candidates will also be required to participate in an interview for acceptance in the Academy.
“The selection process is competitive and is limited to 20 participants, but the benefits of participation are numerous,” said Dr. Leslie Cummings, dean of Instruction and Academic Transfer at the College. “Participation in the program offers students access to state-of-the-art equipment and standard training aids; the opportunity to earn high school and college credit; and instruction that meets industry standards for advanced technology jobs.”
Scholarships are available to all Career Pathways Academy students. These scholarships provide tuition, fees, books, and supplies. If selected for the Academy, the only cost to participants will be in transportation to a Bevill State campus.
“These types of programs would not be successful without the support of our education, business, and governmental partners. We have already received tremendous encouragement from our secondary school and industry partners,” said Dr. Ferguson. “I would also like to thank Senate Majority Leader Greg Reed for his leadership, vision, and efforts in securing the funding to begin the BSCC Career Pathways Academy. “
“I commend the administration at Bevill State for putting together an innovative program that will give motivated area high school students an opportunity to learn the skills necessary for success in technical career fields. It was an honor to work with leaders at Bevill State to convince local employers to come on board as partners for the Career Pathways Academy,” said Senator Reed. “Students who complete the Academy will be in an excellent position upon high school graduation: they can either immediately start working at good-paying technical jobs or deepen the skills they have acquired with further work at a community college or university.”
A series of informational meetings for potential student participants and their parents will take place next month at Bevill State. The Fayette campus will host one meeting on March 7, with a meeting on the Sumiton campus scheduled for March 17. Career Fairs will also be scheduled for next month on the two campuses.
To learn more information about the BSCC Career Pathways Academy and the upcoming informational meetings, contact Grant Cockrell, career Technical Division Chair for the Sumiton and Jasper Campuses at Bevill State by calling 205.397-0511, ext. 5710, or by email at gcockrell@bscc.edu.