Latest news with #AkieviaMcFarland
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Bishop State linemen and trucking students get hands-on workforce training
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — Students at Bishop State Community College are learning skillful trades to get ready to enter the workforce. 'Sand In My Boots Festival' prep underway — what to know ahead of the event WKRG News 5's Akievia McFarland visited the truck driving and lineman programs to see the benefits of their hands-on training. The first stop on this route is the college's truck driving program, the largest of its kind in Alabama. 'We produce more students than any other college,' Transportation Department Division Chair Brad Wallace said. Over a course of eight weeks, future truckers 18-years and older learn road regulations, different types of trailers, and how to drive a big truck safely. 'The mindset that we give them here makes them very successful when they go out in the field and work for a company,' Wallace said. 'Most of our students don't have any accidents or incidents along the way for the first year of their career.' Having skills behind the wheel isn't all students want, they're also in it for a brighter future. 'To make more money and things, and explore, see what the world is like,' student Jeremiah Ervin said. 'In eight weeks you can change your career and go to work making anywhere, starting at $40,000 a year to $100,000 a year,' Wallace said. Baldwin County EMA concerned about FEMA's uncertain future as hurricane season approaches Chances for big pay are up for these students as the program has a 98% placement rate and most students are pre-hired before classes end. This isn't the college's only program taking students to new heights. Some linemen students are learning the process of hanging insulators and dealing with electricity over 11 to 12 weeks. 'They initially learn how to climb and work aloft off of wooden poles, off of concrete and steel structures and certain types of lattice towers,' instructor Daniel Matson said. 'We teach them the basics of your first day of being on the job to start the apprenticeship program of being a lineman one day.' With a placement rate of 95% among graduates, these linemen could go on to make upwards of $100,000 annually. But first, they have to learn the basics, like being able to safely recognize hazards in the field and climb in full gear. 'They always have to wear a hard hat, close toed shoes, long sleeve shirts, they have to wear appropriate gloves,' BSCC Industry Liaison Daphne Stamps said. 'The equipment probably weighs about 50 to 60 pounds that they have to wear daily.' The equipment is heavy, and the climb might be a little intimidating, but students say you get used to it all. Mobile County street to close for bridge replacement 'My favorite part is going up the pole now. It wasn't at first. It took me a little minute to ease into it but once you get the hang of it and trust the equipment and stuff while you're up there, it's a breeze,' student Kendall Patrick said. Whether their career takes them toward the skies or for a drive, students are learning lucrative skills to continue Powering Progress in Alabama`s workforce. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
THANK YOU: Stock the Pantry 2025 Wrap
THEODORE, Ala. (WKRG) — Our Stock the Pantry food drive has wrapped up, and we want to thank you for your generosity! Getting a glimpse of South Baldwin County from above at the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival WKRG News 5's Akievia McFarland spent the day at the Feeding the Gulf Coast distribution center where loads of food were dropped off to help children in need along the Gulf Coast. 'Rich's loves our communities that we serve and it is a privilege to give back in this way,' Merrill South with Rich's Car Wash said. 'We love to do the toy drive, and this is a way to serve our community here in the summertime.' Over the course of our month-long Stock the Pantry food drive, we collected thousands of pounds of food, putting a dent in food insecurity. 'One of the amazing things is to see the food go out and get it in the hands of those that need it, but what we know is every morning we need to find more food and put it back out there. And so, absolutely, this event makes a difference in the community,' Feeding the Gulf Coast CEO Michael Ledger said. Together, we brought in 12,236 pounds of food. That's over 10,000 meals. None of this would be possible without your help and the help of our wonderful sponsors. In April, they went on shopping sprees and loaded up baskets with snacks and meals that are easy for children to prepare on their own. Our sponsors feel it's a joy to give back. 'It's the perfect time for it. You know, kids are going to be getting out of school, headed home. They won't have those meals provided by the school system. So I think it's great to be able to give back to the community,' Trey Lambert with Wind Creek Casino and Hotel said. 'To see the scope of this operation and the amount of people that they feed throughout the year, especially with the cause we're helping with during summer, it's incredible,' Palmer's Toyota COO Jacob Palmer said. International steel company to expand Axis, Alabama, facility We want to give a big thanks to our sponsors, and you, for giving back to Gulf Coast children during this year's Stock the Pantry. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
