Workforce on Wheels Program
Workforce on Wheels (WOW) Program
Jefferson State Community College is committed to bridging the gap between education and high-demand careers by introducing innovative mobile career exploration simulators, which are immersive video game like training tools, to the youth within our four-county service area. The WOW: JSCC Workforce on Wheels initiative partners with nonprofits including The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Alabama (BGCCA), YMCA, and schools including i3 Academy to provide hands on career experiences in industrial and construction fields through the use of modified truck and heavy equipment virtual simulators. This collaboration emphasizes industry awareness, job skills, mentorship, and real-world experiences, particularly for youth from underserved communities.
Serves youth ages 14–18 in the Birmingham region.
Helps students:
- Explore career options and pathways
- Understand how to transition into post-secondary careers
- Develop skills and knowledge needed to enter the workforce
- Connect with local employers
- Builds partnerships with local businesses to provide meaningful career opportunities.
- Uses data measures for continuous improvement
Measures success through:
- Student learning outcomes
- Job placements
- User satisfaction
- Long-term impact on learners and employer partners
According to an October 2023 survey by American Student Assistance and Jobs for the Future, nearly 1 in 3 non-college-bound youth (32%) lack confidence in knowing the steps to transition into post-high school careers. Additionally, 64% of these indicated they would have considered pathway programs if they had more information about them. The WOW: JSCC Workforce on Wheels program will address these gaps by helping students in the Birmingham region better understand career options, transition into post-secondary careers, and connect with local employers.
JSCC Launches Workforce on Wheels Program
The Jefferson State Community College Foundation was awarded $150,000 from the Catalyze Birmingham Challenge to launch a Workforce on Wheels (WOW) program. The program bridges the gap between education and high-demand careers through mobile career exploration simulators to learners aged 11-18.
This initiative, supported by the Walton Family Foundation and a coalition of local funders, empowers organizations that create opportunities for young people to explore careers and connect education to meaningful work experiences.
The JSCC Foundation received the funding for its focus on youth career exploration. The WOW program provides immersive, video game-like training tools to provide youth across the college’s four-county service area with firsthand exposure to career pathways through industry-backed curriculum and simulations.