Uniontown PREP Center to add welding bay to address workforce needs

An announcement from the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles (ABPP) said that its Reentry Task Force met at the State House to discuss a number of topics, including addressing workforce needs. 

According to the statement a "potential partner" of the task force is the PREP Center in Uniontown. It was announced that the ABPP and the center's partner, Ingram State Technical College, will add a welding bay to train needed workers. 

“This is a gamechanger for the Alabamians we serve, and it will exponentially increase the success we’re seeing at PREP, where nearly 500 Alabamians have graduated with less than 1 percent recidivating,” ABPP Director Cam Ward said.

“We’re excited to provide highly trained welders who can not only help shore up critical skilled manufacturing needs for the state’s workforce but also strengthen our nation’s defense capabilities. These are great-paying jobs that offer excellent benefits and significantly increase the likelihood of reentry success.”

The bay is set to be a 30,000 square feet facility to complement the center's existing certificate, licensing and training programs. It offers core technical programs like carpentry, electrical training and Skills for Success Training.

Additionally, PREP reportedly "enhanced" its CDL training program by opening an driving simulator, which expands access for participants interested in logistics and transportation and allows prepartion for CDL certification exams.

It was also announced that a similar PREP program is in the works for Thomasville but aimed at female inmates only.