Snead State Community College opened the doors to a new state-of-the-art Workforce and Career Institute Sept. 24.

The center, located between Albertville and Guntersville, will increase the area’s career technical education, provide students with a variety of options for career advancement and push the effort to help students with workforce opportunities.

Snead State’s Workforce and Career Institute, supported by a committee of 47 people including college employees and community members, offers skills training in Industrial Systems Technology, HVAC/R, Machine Tool Technology and Welding Technology, as well as short-term, non-credit workforce development opportunities.

“There is no doubt in my mind with the opening of this facility, Snead State is going to continue leading Alabama in workforce development and workforce training not only for the jobs of today, but for jobs of the future,” said Sen. Wes Kitchens, who is a Snead State alumnus, in a news release.

Former Sen. Clay Scofield, who supported similar efforts in the legislature and now serves as vice president of the Business Council of Alabama, said he hopes graduates will learn a skill that they can use to provide an honest living for them and their family.

Chancellor Jimmy Baker said he started working toward the center in 2020. Using funding from the Governor’s office and the system office and supplemental funding from the Alabama legislature, the institution was brought to fruition. In addition, the Marshall County Board of Education provided the land for the facility.

“Before a new high-tech industry builds a factory in Alabama, the first question they ask is, do you have the capability to train our workers? Well, thanks to all of you who contributed to making this important project a reality, we can say yes!” Gov. Kay Ivey said during a ribbon cutting, according to a news release.

Classes began at the institute this fall, according to the college.