17
School Participation
250
Student Accepted
WHAT IS THE ACADEMY
WITH A CAPACITY OF 250 STUDENTS, High School Juniors and Seniors, The Academy of Craft Training is a public/private partnership between the commercial construction industry and the State of Alabama’s K-12 Career and Technical Education System. Our mission is to recruit, educate and guide high school students for educational and employment opportunities in the construction industry. Our goal is to help these students get the education and skills they need to be entry-level, skilled workers in the construction industry. Students can learn directly from construction industry professionals in a workplace environment, work as interns with local construction companies and receive job offers upon graduation.
The Academy of Craft Training program has been a tremendous success. Not only has the construction industry benefited from this program, but other industries such as shipbuilding and aircraft manufacturing have as well.
WHAT IS THE ACADEMY
OF CRAFT TRAINING?
WITH A CAPACITY OF 250 STUDENTS, High School Juniors and Seniors, The Academy of Craft Training is a public/private partnership between the commercial construction industry and the State of Alabama’s K-12 Career and Technical Education System. Our mission is to recruit, educate and guide high school students for educational and employment opportunities in the construction industry. Our goal is to help these students get the education and skills they need to be entry-level, skilled workers in the construction industry. Students can learn directly from construction industry professionals in a workplace environment, work as interns with local construction companies and receive job offers upon graduation.
The Academy of Craft Training program has been a tremendous success. Not only has the construction industry benefited from this program, but other industries such as shipbuilding and aircraft manufacturing have as well.
THE TRADES
Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. May operate hand and power tools of all types: air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying and measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment and instruments.
Install and maintain the electrical systems and wiring in our businesses, factories and homes. Blueprints are used to determine the location of circuits, outlets, load centers and panel boards, while ohmmeters, ammeters, voltmeters and other equipment are used to test connections and ensure that components are compatible and safe.
Install, service and repair heating and air conditioning systems in commercial buildings, including sheet metal ductwork.
Build stone structures, such as piers, walls, and abutments. Lay walks, curbstones, or special types of masonry for vats, tanks, and floors.
Needed in many areas of commercial construction from structural welding for steel erection to mechanical piping systems. Welding also requires math skills and the ability to read detailed spec sheets and blue prints.
THE TRADES
Building Construction
Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. May operate hand and power tools of all types: air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying, and measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment and instruments.
Electrical
Install and maintain the electrical systems and wiring in our businesses, factories and homes. Blueprints are used to determine the location of circuits, outlets, load centers and panel boards, while ohmmeters, ammeters, voltmeters and other equipment are used to test connections and ensure that components are compatible and safe.
HVAC
Install, service and repair heating and air conditioning systems in commercial buildings, including sheet metal ductwork.
Interior & Exterior Finishes
Build stone structures, such as piers, walls, and abutments. Lay walks, curbstones, or special types of masonry for vats, tanks, and floors.
Welding & Piping
Needed in many areas of commercial construction from structural welding for steel erection to mechanical piping systems. Welding also requires math skills and the ability to read detailed spec sheets and blue prints.
THE TRAINING
ACADEMY OF CRAFT TRAINING UTILIZES NCCER CURRICULUM The craft areas utilize The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) curriculum for each specific craft area. NCCER was developed with the support of more than 125 construction CEOs and various association and academic leaders who united to revolutionize training for the construction industry. Sharing the common goal of developing a safe and productive workforce, these companies created a standardized training and credentialing program for the industry.
NCCER ALLOWS CREDITS TO BE EARNED The Academy of Craft Training offers an unique opportunity for first year students in the program to receive 3 credits at the end of the school year. The students will participate in courses each semester pertaining to their skill of interest as well as receive a math credit. This math credit will count as their fourth math and will meet the requirements for the Alabama High School Diploma. Please refer to the example to the right to give you a better idea of how ones schedule would look.
THE TRAINING
ACADEMY OF CRAFT TRAINING
UTILIZES NCCER CURRICULUM
The craft areas utilize The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) curriculum for each specific craft area. NCCER was developed with the support of more than 125 construction CEOs and various association and academic leaders who united to revolutionize training for the construction industry. Sharing the common goal of developing a safe and productive workforce, these companies created a standardized training and credentialing program for the industry.
NCCER ALLOWS CREDITS TO BE EARNED
The Academy of Craft Training offers an unique opportunity for first year students in the program to receive 3 credits at the end of the school year. The students will participate in courses each semester pertaining to their skill of interest as well as receive a math credit. This math credit will count as their fourth math and will meet the requirements for the Alabama High School Diploma. Please refer to the example to the right to give you a better idea of how ones schedule would look.
OUR INDUSTRY INSTRUCTORS
I started my career in construction with BL Harbert International upon graduating high school in 2018. My construction background started as a laborer, then advanced to a pipefitter helper and finally working to be a welder. I attended the Academy the first year it opened in 2016. I came back my second year and was top in my class. I was offered the position at ACT Birmingham to be the welding instructor after two years in the field. ACT is appealing to me because of the training and the job opportunities we offer for students after graduation. We train them to not only have knowledge in the field, but also life skills to help them succeed.
Jayden Kidd
Lead Instructor and Welding Instructor
I started working in construction right out of high school back in 2018. I worked on several hospitals and other projects for Brasfield and Gorrie. I started as a laborer, moved up to carpenter, and was undergoing foreman training running my own labor crew at Baptist Hospital. I graduated high school and ACT in 2018. I am passionate to educate the next generation because it will mean a lot to the industry. As a construction worker, I can tell you that we need young men and women with the willingness to work.
Aidan Otero
Building Construction Instructor
Merrill Simison
Lab Instructor
I started in construction in 1983 as a pipefitter helper and then a journeyman electrician. I have been retired for more than two years. A contractor friend called me and asked if I would be interested in instruction with the ACT program. There was always a shortage of skilled craftsmen during my career, and I have always enjoyed mentoring young people in the industry.
Paul Reynolds
Electrical Instructor
Keith Gates
Plumbing and Pipefitting InstructorI started my career in construction with BL Harbert International upon graduating high school in 2018. My construction background started as a laborer, then advanced to a pipefitter helper and finally working to be a welder. I attended the Academy the first year it opened in 2016. I came back my second year and was top in my class. I was offered the position at ACT Birmingham to be the welding instructor after two years in the field. ACT is appealing to me because of the training and the job opportunities we offer for students after graduation. We train them to not only have knowledge in the field, but also life skills to help them succeed.
Jayden Kidd
Lead Instructor and Welding InstructorI started working in construction right out of high school back in 2018. I worked on several hospitals and other projects for Brasfield and Gorrie. I started as a laborer, moved up to carpenter, and was undergoing foreman training running my own labor crew at Baptist Hospital. I graduated high school and ACT in 2018. I am passionate to educate the next generation because it will mean a lot to the industry. As a construction worker, I can tell you that we need young men and women with the willingness to work.
Aidan Otero
Building Construction InstructorMerrill Simison
Lab InstructorI started in construction in 1983 as a pipefitter helper and then a journeyman electrician. I have been retired for more than two years. A contractor friend called me and asked if I would be interested in instruction with the ACT program. There was always a shortage of skilled craftsmen during my career, and I have always enjoyed mentoring young people in the industry.
Paul Reynolds
Electrical InstructorKeith Gates
Plumbing and Pipefitting InstructorI started my career in construction with BL Harbert International upon graduating high school in 2018. My construction background started as a laborer, then advanced to a pipefitter helper and finally working to be a welder. I attended the Academy the first year it opened in 2016. I came back my second year and was top in my class. I was offered the position at ACT Birmingham to be the welding instructor after two years in the field. ACT is appealing to me because of the training and the job opportunities we offer for students after graduation. We train them to not only have knowledge in the field, but also life skills to help them succeed.
Jayden Kidd
Lead Instructor and Welding InstructorI started working in construction right out of high school back in 2018. I worked on several hospitals and other projects for Brasfield and Gorrie. I started as a laborer, moved up to carpenter, and was undergoing foreman training running my own labor crew at Baptist Hospital. I graduated high school and ACT in 2018. I am passionate to educate the next generation because it will mean a lot to the industry. As a construction worker, I can tell you that we need young men and women with the willingness to work.
Aidan Otero
Building Construction InstructorMerrill Simison
Lab InstructorI started in construction in 1983 as a pipefitter helper and then a journeyman electrician. I have been retired for more than two years. A contractor friend called me and asked if I would be interested in instruction with the ACT program. There was always a shortage of skilled craftsmen during my career, and I have always enjoyed mentoring young people in the industry.
Paul Reynolds
Electrical InstructorKeith Gates
Plumbing and Pipefitting InstructorOUR EDUCATION LEADERS
I started teaching history at Alma Bryant High School in 2004. After teaching for 10 years, I served as Alma Bryant’s academy specialist for four years and senior counselor for four years. When I learned about the opening of the Academy of Craft Training in Mobile, I knew my résumé was made for this position. For years I have watched students struggle with where they “fit.” ACT provides a genuine opportunity for students not only to receive hands-on training but to gain in-field experience and receive job offers as a result.
Genevieve Rigby
Counselor
I began my career in education in 2005 after receiving a M.S. in Special Education from the University of South Alabama. The current workforce needs in the construction industry are high and only projected to get higher. The students can fill these gaps if we can get them in our programs. It is a great opportunity for a great career for our students and helping our industry partners fill needs at the same time — it’s a win-win!
Allen Merryman
Education DirectorI started teaching history at Alma Bryant High School in 2004. After teaching for 10 years, I served as Alma Bryant’s academy specialist for four years and senior counselor for four years. When I learned about the opening of the Academy of Craft Training in Mobile, I knew my résumé was made for this position. For years I have watched students struggle with where they “fit.” ACT provides a genuine opportunity for students not only to receive hands-on training but to gain in-field experience and receive job offers as a result.
Genevieve Rigby
CounselorI began my career in education in 2005 after receiving a M.S. in Special Education from the University of South Alabama. The current workforce needs in the construction industry are high and only projected to get higher. The students can fill these gaps if we can get them in our programs. It is a great opportunity for a great career for our students and helping our industry partners fill needs at the same time — it’s a win-win!
Allen Merryman
Education DirectorI started teaching history at Alma Bryant High School in 2004. After teaching for 10 years, I served as Alma Bryant’s academy specialist for four years and senior counselor for four years. When I learned about the opening of the Academy of Craft Training in Mobile, I knew my résumé was made for this position. For years I have watched students struggle with where they “fit.” ACT provides a genuine opportunity for students not only to receive hands-on training but to gain in-field experience and receive job offers as a result.
Genevieve Rigby
CounselorI began my career in education in 2005 after receiving a M.S. in Special Education from the University of South Alabama. The current workforce needs in the construction industry are high and only projected to get higher. The students can fill these gaps if we can get them in our programs. It is a great opportunity for a great career for our students and helping our industry partners fill needs at the same time — it’s a win-win!
Allen Merryman
Education DirectorFor Industry Inquiries Contact
For Industry Inquiries Contact
For Educational Inquiries Contact
Thanks to
Our Partners
Thanks to
Our Partners