Expanding Training for a Changing Workforce

Posted on Dec 30, 2025 at 5:06 PM

Preparing students for today’s workforce requires training that keeps pace with how industries are changing. As technology reshapes manufacturing and business, education and workforce development are becoming increasingly connected.

That focus moved from planning to action earlier this year with the groundbreaking of the Center of Excellence for Innovation and Technology at the Prattville Campus. The new facility is designed to support advanced training in manufacturing, cyber, and artificial intelligence, areas that are central to the evolving Manufacturing 4.0 landscape.

The Center of Excellence will provide students with access to modern labs, industry-standard equipment, and hands-on instruction shaped by real workforce needs. Programs housed in the facility will be developed in close coordination with employers, ensuring that training stays aligned with current tools, processes, and expectations in the field.

In addition to technical skills, students will gain experience working in environments that mirror modern workplaces. The goal is preparation that goes beyond theory, allowing graduates to move directly into roles that require adaptability, problem-solving, and technical confidence.

President Jeff Lynn said the Center strengthens the connection between education and the region’s economic future.

“This project is about giving students practical, relevant training while supporting the workforce needs of our communities,” Lynn said. “When education and industry work together, students benefit, and employers gain access to talent that is ready to contribute.”

The Center of Excellence is also expected to serve as a resource for regional employers, offering a place where training can be adjusted as industries evolve. By bringing together instruction, technology, and industry input, the facility expands CACC’s ability to respond quickly to workforce demand and support economic development across the region.

The groundbreaking at the Prattville Campus represents a long-term investment in students and in the industries they will soon enter. As construction moves forward, the Center of Excellence stands as a clear signal of where training and education are headed and how CACC is preparing students to meet that future.

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  • Workforce Development
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