Skills for Success Delivers Training That Leads to Real Outcomes

Posted on Dec 22, 2025 at 6:41 PM

Throughout 2025, CACC’s Skills for Success initiative continued to serve as a practical entry point into the workforce for students across the region.

Over the course of the year, 151 training courses were held, serving 891 students through short-term sessions aligned with regional workforce needs. The courses emphasized hands-on instruction and industry-relevant skills, giving participants a clear path forward, whether entering a new field or advancing in their current work.

For many students, the program provided more than training. It offered direction.

After completing Skills for Success fiber-optics training, Gregg Porter secured employment with Communications Unlimited, Inc., where he began as an installer with opportunities for advancement. The training equipped him with technical skills he now uses on the job and helped him step into a career with long-term potential.

Dalton Hay followed a similar path. After earning his GED through CACC, he enrolled in Skills for Success fiber optics training and transitioned into employment with Southern Electrical Contractors in Sylacauga. He continues to build experience while pursuing additional education and exploring future career goals in engineering and electrical fields.

For Demito Thomas, Skills for Success provided the certifications needed to enter the construction field. After completing Skid Steer training, Thomas was hired by Gary Ingram Grading and Paving. His performance led to increased responsibility, showing how short-term training can translate into long-term opportunity.

According to Michael Barnette, Dean of Workforce and Economic Development at CACC, the program is designed around results that matter to both students and employers. Skills for Success focuses on access, practical training, and clear outcomes that allow students to step confidently into the workforce.

“Training only matters if it leads somewhere,” Barnette said. “Our goal is to make sure students leave with skills employers recognize and the confidence to put those skills to work.”

By the end of the year, Skills for Success had become a consistent part of CACC’s workforce efforts, supporting students while strengthening partnerships with employers across the region.

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