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From Jefferson State Community College

Chilton County residents interested in operating heavy equipment can now register for training at Jefferson State’s Chilton-Clanton Campus.

The heavy equipment class, which is the first of its kind to be offered by the college, lasts from Jan. 19 through April 4.

The course is funded by a grant from the Craft Training Board of Alabama, so there is no enrollment cost for students.

A limited number of spots in the class are remaining, so anyone interested is encouraged to visit JeffersonState.edu/heavy equipment as soon as possible to submit an application.

A high school diploma or GED is required for enrollment.

Class days/times are 6-8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays from Jan. 19 through April 4; and from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 6-7 (Saturday and Sunday) and April 3-4 (Saturday and Sunday).

The class is the first offering of its kind in the Workforce Development Center at the Chilton-Clanton Campus. The center is the result of a partnership among Jefferson State, the city of Clanton, the Chilton County Industrial Development Authority, the Chilton County Commission, the Alabama Rural Economic Center, Dunn University and private industry in the Birmingham region.

Clanton officials presented a donation of $160,000 on Aug. 21, 2020, for the purchase of a training simulator that will be used for the Heavy Equipment training program.

“Today marks a new chapter for us as we expand our training opportunities into heavy equipment operation,” Jefferson State President Keith Brown said at the donation presentation. “We are excited about this partnership and the opportunities it will provide our students and the Chilton County community. This equipment will help Jefferson State provide training that will lead to in-demand jobs and, consequently, improve lives and help meet workforce demands.”