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TALENT ATTRACTION
& RETENTION

Alabama’s growing industries and natural resources position the state for growth. EDPA is committed to fueling that growth through helping Alabama’s communities and employers attract and retain the talent they need.

Alabama needs to retain its best and brightest. But how?

Alabama produces thousands of talented college graduates each year. It’s time we kept more of them for their careers as well as their education. Over 34,000 students graduated with bachelor’s degrees in Alabama in 2020. But the state keeps just about 2 of every 3 in-state students and only 1 of every 5 out-of-state students one year after graduation. In partnership with the state’s largest employers, economic developers, and higher education institutions, EDPA hopes to shift the trend on student retention.

Read the Retain Alabama Report

About

FuelAL, in partnership with Innovate Alabama, helps university students understand the range of opportunities available across Alabama by connecting them to communities and community employers. Through interactive events, such as industry treks, community service projects, social mixers and more, FuelAL helps young talent explore beyond the 9-to-5. With FuelAL, young professionals can make connections across the entire state and reap the benefits of living and working in Alabama. We believe that connecting talented students with communities and employers in every corner of the state is key to the success of Alabama’s economic future. We are committed to providing a platform for students to discover the many opportunities available to them and creating meaningful connections between students and employers throughout the state.

 

To learn more about unique programming within communities, please see FuelAL Host City contact information below:

2023 FuelAL Fall Summit: The Wiregrass

Calling all college students who have experienced the magic of FuelAL before! Get ready for an unforgettable, no-cost experience at the 2023 FuelAL Fall Summit, in The Wiregrass, from November 2-4! If you thought your previous FuelAL experiences were incredible, just wait… We're taking it to a whole new level!

Indulge in the sights, sounds, and flavors of the renowned Peanut Festival, where you'll rediscover your favorite childhood treats and create new memories with your fellow FuelAL alumni. Our mixer kickoff will be the ultimate reunion, reconnecting you with old friends and introducing you to new ones, all while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of The Wiregrass.

But that's not all – we have an exclusive industry panel featuring local business leaders who are eager to share their insights and wisdom with you. Gain valuable knowledge and gain a competitive edge in your future endeavors. And of course, we can't forget the outdoor recreation activities that will get your adrenaline pumping and allow you to appreciate the natural wonders of The Wiregrass region.

This event is tailor-made for you, the college students who have embraced the FuelAL community before. It's an opportunity to reignite your passion, expand your network, and create lifelong memories. Apply now, and get ready for a FuelAL Fall Summit that will exceed all your expectations!

Eligibility: All summer 2023 FuelAL interns are eligible to apply. A waiver and letter of recommendation from your summer 2023 employer will be required, should you be selected.

 

Dates of Summit: November 2-4, 2023

Deadline to apply: October 2, 2023
*Spots will fill fast, so please apply ASAP.  
Contact: Please reach out to Audrey Ferguson at aferguson@edpa.org for further information.

ALEX: The Alabama Experience

About

ALEX: The Alabama Experience is a mobile exhibit, featuring a collection of interactive kiosks and informational pieces, as well as a knowledgeable staff who walks visitors through every aspect of life in Alabama. An immersive, first-hand experience, ALEX is the personification of Alabama through technology, powered by Atlas RFID Solutions, and it offers visitors an inside look at careers, educational opportunities and unique lifestyle available within the state. ALEX is not a job fair, but it offers individuals the ability to travel through a virtual reality experience to encounter the amenities and advantages of life in Alabama – from work to play, to costs of living. It showcases innovation of the state through industrial, interactive robots playing Korfball, motion capture suites displaying athletic movement, Alabama’s seven, diverse workforce regions and more.

Meet ALEX

Where EDPA Will Play a Role

Research

EDPA’s partnerships allow for a broad and deep research approach learning about students and graduates in a qualitative and quantitative manner. Moving forward, our research efforts will expand to include other demographics, employers and communities. By looking at all three stakeholders, we can identify the state’s talent supply and demand – and address shortfalls in specific, targeted ways.

Convening

EDPA is one of few organizations with relationships with the three major talent-related groups: employers, universities, and economic developers. As a statewide organization, we can convene them to learn from each other’s success, failures, and best practices, as well as from national or international examples of talent attraction and retention.

Communications

The data has shown that cities should be the focus, not the state; students are eager to learn more about job opportunities; and different communities offer different value propositions.

EDPA will work with individual communities to establish and communicate a brand that emphasizes their unique assets directly to the talent they need.

Targeted Student Programming

EDPA will continue to learn directly from and communicate with students. Our FuelAL summer fellowship program offers exposure for sophomores and juniors interning at Alabama's best companies to the rich history, culture, and opportunities across the state.