The Alabama Office of Apprenticeship and EDPA’s FuelAL partner to host the 2024 Alabama Summit on Talent Retention and Work-Based Learning

Birmingham, AL (Feb. 23, 2024) – The Alabama Office of Apprenticeship and FuelAL, a talent retention program of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA), are pleased to announce their partnership in hosting the highly anticipated 2024 Alabama Summit on Talent Retention and Work-Based Learning. This event will take place at Regions Field in Birmingham, Alabama, from April 8 to April 10, 2024.

The Summit is designed to convene employers, educators, economic developers, and workforce professionals from across Alabama to explore and exchange best practices in talent retention and workforce development. Esteemed keynote speakers and panelists will present their insights on how talent retention and work-based learning strategies can drive economic success in the state.

Attendees can look forward to engaging breakout sessions and panel discussions covering a range of topics, including national workforce trends, apprenticeship programs, mentorship and professional development for young talent, and other valuable work-based learning resources. The Summit aims to equip participants with the tools and resources necessary to enhance their workforce development efforts and contribute to the prosperity of Alabama’s economy.

FuelAL will build upon the success of its 2023 FuelAL summer programming and Conference with enhanced programming in 2024, primarily focusing on empowering Alabama’s communities to attract and retain competitive professionals. FuelAL will connect these communities, and the employers operating within them, with post-secondary talent to drive awareness of the incredible opportunities across the state.

“To keep Alabama’s top talent in the state, it is essential we understand how to give what bright, young professionals really want,”stated Miller Girvin, Executive Vice President of Innovation & Talent at EDPA. “This Summit offers an opportunity for those who can make a huge difference in this space – employers, career-development offices and community leaders – to share best practices and learn how to showcase the promising careers and lifestyles that Alabama can deliver.”

The AOA registers apprenticeship programs, offers technical assistance for the creation of programs, provides support for accessing state and federal assistance with programs and conducts ongoing monitoring of program quality and compliance with state and federal law.

“We’re excited to carry on with this important initiative,” expressed Josh Laney, Director of The Alabama Office of Apprenticeship. “Witnessing the outstanding work-based learning (WBL) programs across the state continues to inspire us. Alabama often doesn’t get the credit it deserves, but we’re undeniably setting the pace for WBL nationwide. By integrating talent retention with our partners at EDPA, we’re strengthening Alabama’s capacity to address the workforce training demands of both our residents and employers.”

For more information and to register for the conference, please click here. Room block rates are available until March 15, 2024. To book your discounted room, please choose your preferred hotel below:

• Elyton OR Fairfield Inn & Suites
• Springhill Suites by Marriott, Birmingham, Downtown at UAB
• Courtyard Birmingham Downtown at UAB
• Home2Suites
• Hilton Garden Inn

About EDPA

EDPA is a private, nonprofit organization, supported by more than 60 Corporate Partners. EDPA is governed by a board of directors, comprised of the state’s top business leaders, committed to the economic growth of Alabama. It supports economic development research, workforce development, talent retention and attraction, innovation and entrepreneurship, policy, lead generation and emerging businesses and community development initiatives.

About The Alabama Office of Apprenticeship

The mission of the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship (AOA) is to expand the use of registered apprenticeships and other forms of work-based learning. Working with employers and training providers across Alabama, the AOA is developing high-quality career training to enable workers and employers to prosper in pursuit of the continued economic development of our state.

###

For media inquiries or additional information, please contact:

Audrey Ferguson

Director of Communications and Talent

The Economic Development Partnership of Alabama

812-760-1343

aferguson@edpa.org