On January 12, 2026, Enterprise State saw its first students take advantage of workforce training programs held in its new workforce training center.

The Center for Applied Technologies at Enterprise State Community College is the product of an ESCC and City of Enterprise partnership and support from local legislative representatives. In October 2022, the Enterprise City Council approved providing $10 million to the College for the construction of the building. A formal groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the facility was held on August 21, 2024, with guests that included City of Enterprise leadership, Alabama Community College System Chancellor Jimmy H. Baker, U.S. Senator Katie Britt, state and local legislators, industry leaders and others from the community.

Around 40 students are taking spring classes in the Center for Applied Technologies, which houses the College’s new Welding and Automotive Technology programs as well as the Mechatronics program, which is also offered on the Ozark campus. This facility features modular training spaces for these programs and future workforce training opportunities for other industries.

“We are thrilled to welcome students into our new state-of-the-art training facility on the Enterprise campus,” Applied Technologies Division Chair Aubri Hanson said. “This building represents the dedication of our college to prepare the workforce necessary to support local industry and for the continued economic growth of our region.”

Each program housed in the Center for Applied Technologies is offered in a unique hybrid format. A portion of classwork is completed online before students then complete hands-on labs that prepare them for their future career. Labs are scheduled at the students’ convenience, perfect for dual enrollment students taking classes during their regular school day as well as traditional college students who may be working while completing their training.

“With a variety of training programs spanning in duration from a few hours to a few years, we feel that ESCC is poised to meet both the immediate and future employment needs of our community and beyond,” Hanson said. “The training we provide in this new facility will prepare our students for high-wage, high-demand careers in a hands-on, flexibly scheduled format with the technology and support they need to be successful. The Center for Applied Technology represents what is possible when educators, industry partners, and the community work together for our students, and I feel blessed to be a part of it.”

These programs also provide industry-recognized credentials, developed by the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3), that can open doors to careers even faster for students. Many credentials, especially in the Mechatronics program, are also stackable, which allows students to continue building skills that can lead to higher wages. Additionally, students who complete the associate degree for Mechatronics can transfer the degree to Troy University or the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

“The Center for Applied Technologies really shows what Enterprise State is about,” President Long said. “It gives our students and our community more opportunities to train for in-demand careers right here at home. It also helps our local businesses by creating a strong pipeline of skilled workers and a place for training that can help them meet their specific needs. This facility is an important step forward in continuing to serve our community in a new and meaningful way.”

Anyone interested in learning more about training opportunities housed in the Center for Applied Technologies can reach out to Aubri Hanson at ahanson@escc.edu.