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By JOYANNA LOVE | Managing Editor

Clanton governmental leaders are in the planning stages of a workforce training and internship pilot program to be launched this summer.

Clanton Chief of Staff Bob Woods and Mayor Jeff Mims pitched the idea to local industry leaders and companies that often do work in Chilton County during a meeting on Feb. 13.

The city asked companies present to consider sponsoring students in the program by hiring them as paid interns and interviewing them for job openings once they complete the program.

“It doesn’t obligate you to hire them, but they would be a pool of individuals that you can select,” Clanton Chief of Staff Bob Woods said.

Employers were asked to provide information to the city by March 15 on their top two occupation needs, core skills that would be required to work for them and how many interns they would be willing to pay. Companies interested in participating in the program can email the information to Debbie Street at dstreet@clantonal.gov. The city will then determine the specific areas of focus for the first class.

Companies that become partners in the program would be asked to commit to paying the interns $15 per hour for 40 hours a week for the length of the program. Classes would be eight weeks in June at LeCroy Career Technical Center. The program needs 15 students for the first class.

At the end of the program, partnering companies would have the opportunity to interview the interns for job opportunities.

Mayor Jeff Mims said diesel mechanic training would be one of the occupations that would be a part of the summer program. Content specialists in specific fields will also be needed to come speak to the classes.

The program is just one way that the city and the mayor are trying to create opportunities for the 88% of local high school students who will not complete a four-year college degree.

“I think anybody can be successful, if they are dedicated and determined,” Mims said. “… That is what has made me successful in my life … I want to make sure all these kids get the opportunity.”

If the pilot program is successful, the city plans to expand on the idea, and eventually have a workforce training center on property it owns next to the Clanton campus of Jefferson State Community College.