Skip To Main Content

Career Coaches

Franklin County Career Technical Center

Made in Alabama Event 2024

Franklin County Sixth Graders Experience 'Made in Alabama' Event

Franklin County, AL – A remarkable celebration of local industry and craftsmanship took place recently as all sixth graders from Franklin County Schools gathered for the "Made in Alabama" event. This educational initiative, organized by career coaches Jennifer Cook and Melissa McHenry, provided students with hands-on experiences highlighting the diverse products manufactured in Alabama.

Students explored an array of local businesses and their unique offerings. Highlights included beautifully crafted candles from Alabama Candle Co., durable coatings from Belgreen Coatings, and expertly designed pulleys from Clark Pulley. CNC Stonecrafters showcased their artistry with stone, presenting creations such as intricate representations of the Alabama A and scenes from The Lord's Supper. Pilgrim’s Pride donated merchandise for the students to look at. 

In addition to industrial products, students enjoyed learning about toilet paper from Essity and treats from a couple of places including Golden Eagle Syrup, which featured pecan pies, popcorn, and syrup and To Your Health Sprouted Flour Co. Students got to see lounging chairs from Leisure Creations, pallets from McVantage, and various sauces from Moore's Marinade, as well as different pickles from Wickles Pickles. Murray Farms donated a mum, cotton and peanuts for the students to look at. One4 also crafted a sign for our “Made in Alabama” event and brought several things for students to look at. Vulcan Materials donated multiple jars of rock with descriptions of what each type of rock is used for. 

The event went beyond products, allowing students to tour Franklin County's career tech programs, which include business, drafting, autobody collision repair, industrial maintenance, cabinetmaking, welding, cosmetology, and health science. A couple of programs had engaging activities; for instance, the cabinetmaking team guided students in creating bubble blowers, while the business program allowed them to design their own food trucks.

In addition to the learning experiences, students participated in games and enjoyed a complimentary lunch, provided by the Franklin County Career Technical Center.

Organizers Cook and McHenry expressed their gratitude for the hard work put in by numerous individuals and businesses that contributed to the event’s success. "We are thrilled with how everything turned out," Cook and McHenry stated. "It took a lot of teamwork to bring this to life, and seeing the students engaged and excited was the ultimate reward."

The "Made in Alabama" event not only celebrated local industries but also inspired the next generation to explore potential career paths and appreciate the craftsmanship found in their own backyard. With such positive feedback, there are hopes for future events to continue this vital connection between education and local business.

 

 

Franklin County Career Coaches

 

 

Jennifer Cook, Career Coach

Email: jennifercook@franklin.k12.al.us

Phone: 256 332-2127

 

Melissa McHenry, Career Coach

Email: melissamchenry@franklin.k12.al.us

Phone: 256-332-2127

 

"Jobs Today/Tomorrow: Employment Opportunities in Times of Rapid Change," by Charles LeHman, (charlesj.lehman@gmail.com).

Jobs in high demand for the next 10 years:

1). Health Care: Nurses #1 shortage, Nurse Practitioners, Physicians, PT, Home Health Aides, and Nurse Aides.

2). Trades: Electricians, HVAC, Heavy Equipment, Auto, Aircraft, Welders and Industrial Maintenance.

3). Technology: Robotics, Engineering Technicians/Mechanical/Technology, AI Specialists, Big Data Specialists, Computer Programmers, System Analyst and Cybersecurity.