Alabama technical college expands workforce training for incarcerated populations

Alabama is addressing labor shortages in sectors such as manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and transportation by expanding workforce education initiatives. To meet the growing demand for skilled workers, J. F. Ingram State Technical College (ISTC), part of the Alabama Community College System, is launching the ISTC Workforce Academy this fall.

The academy will operate within the Bibb, Donaldson, and Limestone Correctional Facilities. Under the leadership of President David Walters, the program provides integrated skills training for the state’s justice-involved population. The curriculum combines hands-on technical training in high-demand fields with structured reentry instruction to prepare incarcerated individuals for long-term careers and successful reintegration into the workforce.