— In an effort to draw attention to strides taken by local school systems to prepare students for life after graduation, city and county leaders Monday declared the month of September as Workforce Development Month.

A proclamation signed by both County Commission Chairman Stanley Menefee and Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks notes the importance of the Limestone County Career Technical Center, which educates about 550 students annually. The center’s programs, the proclamation says, give students the foundation needed to continue training on the job or within the two-year college system.

According to the Labor Monthly Review, nearly one-third of America’s fastest-growing occupations and careers will require a post-secondary degree and specialized credentials.  The communication, time management and organizational skills that Alabama’s students are learning in career technical education programs are a great start for their futures.

On hand at Monday’s County Commission meeting for the reading of the proclamation by city spokeswoman Holly Hollman were Dr. Orman Bridges Jr., superintendent of Athens City Schools, and Dr. Thomas Sisk, superintendent of Limestone County Schools.

Bridges said he appreciated the County Commission and the city working together through its recent efforts to lure industry to the area. Sisk said his system would work hard to provide skills to students so they can work in the area and raise their families.

Tom Hill, president of the Limestone County Economic Development Association, said State School Superintendent Tommy Bice encouraged secondary school systems to issue the workforce development proclamations and offer public tours of career tech centers. An open house for Limestone County’s center will be from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 25.

“I commend the superintendents for what they’re doing,” Hill said. “You can’t get (technical) education too early. We thank the commission for helping get good companies here that pay a good salary to those (students) coming out of the schools.”

Last July, Gov. Robert Bentley — in an effort to create and preserve jobs — issued Executive Order Number 21, creating the Alabama Economic Development Alliance.  The Alliance consists of the secretary of commerce; president of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama; chair of the marketing allies; chancellor of the Alabama Community College System, representing the Alabama Workforce Training System; chancellor of the University of Alabama System, representing universities and research organizations; three local economic development designees from the Economic Development Association of Alabama; and the superintendent of the state Department of Education.

“(The) Limestone County Economic Development Association would like to encourage teachers, parents, administrators and students to embrace Workforce Development Month, and continue all year long to encourage students to explore career tech opportunities,” read a group statement.