About the Program
LINCS: LEVERAGING INTERCONNECTED NETWORKS FOR CHANGE & SUSTAINABLITY
The goal of the LINCS project is to increase the advanced manufacturing employment skill sets in the regions underserved DRA counties which includes ten counties in West Alabama: Pickens, Hale, Greene, Marengo, Perry, Wilcox, Choctaw, Clarke, Washington and Sumter.
The project will implement a three-LINCS approach to address current barriers and gaps in the workforce pipeline: 1) Develop employer-driven curriculum and fast track certificate programs; 2) Recruit and place new entrants into the workforce and promote incumbent workers in order to retain or advance their current positions; and 3) Establish the Rural Apprenticeship Program (RAP). The LINC program will be a customized training program in advanced manufacturing skills and technologies incorporated with input from collaborating employers and stakeholders.
The delivery strategy will be innovated with a mobile training unit equipped with virtual and actual hands on equipment where feasible, called “Skills on Wheels. This onsite work-based education and training model will utilize industry—driven standards to develop curriculum and 7
At the same time, an expanded UWA Center for Workforce Development facility will develop new innovative onsite work-based education & training models, and utilize industry-driven standards, credentials, curriculum & training to create a workforce environment that is relevant, flexible and offers ongoing personal growth.
The UWA Hunt facility already provides an existing infrastructure and space for welding and other advanced manufacturing training skills. With some alterations additional employer suggested equipment for training could be purchased and installed at the campus location to provide hands on training and certification as well.
Taking inspiration from its geographical location, the design of the LINCS program evolved as a means to address the access and training delivery gaps in the current interconnected systems that work within the LINCS region. Through LINCS, UWA seeks to complement and enhance existing support systems for industry employers, regional workforce councils, community colleges, and the Alabama Career Center System in the LINCS region. The overlapping service areas can be confusing to LINCS partners, industry employers and the target populations.
Therefore, LINCS seeks to streamline the process and create a regional workforce pipeline that is more responsive, relevant, accessible, integrated, aligned and sustainable to the benefit of both employer and employee. Employer-led and industry-driven curriculum development is essential. The LINCS project builds on DRA’s Reimagining the Delta Workforce grant program. UWA is centrally located within the DRA counties service region that has a true physical presence.