Updated
Updated · Birmingham Times · Jul 11
Birmingham Selects 5 Groups for 6-Month Workforce Accelerator, Offering $9,250 in Demo Day Prizes
Updated
Updated · Birmingham Times · Jul 11

Birmingham Selects 5 Groups for 6-Month Workforce Accelerator, Offering $9,250 in Demo Day Prizes

2 articles · Updated · Birmingham Times · Jul 11

Summary

  • Five Birmingham organizations and small businesses were chosen for the inaugural Birmingham Workforce Partner Accelerator, a six-month program to help them build and launch workforce initiatives for city residents.
  • The cohort was picked after a three-month competitive process that weighed organizational readiness, sector fit and commitment to Birmingham’s workforce ecosystem.
  • Selected participants span reentry, general job training, healthcare, community economic mobility and skilled trades, including Down By Law, The Link Workforce Training Center, New Path Health Career Center, Rebirth Community Corporation and Iron City Iron Works.
  • July-to-December programming will cover program design, partnership readiness, grant writing, data and evaluation, and pitch preparation before a Dec. 9 Demo Day.
  • That event will put the groups before city leaders, funders, employers and community stakeholders, with $9,250 in prizes including a $5,000 first-place award.

Insights

Beyond small prizes, how will Birmingham ensure these new workforce programs achieve long-term success and funding?
How will this initiative tackle systemic barriers like transportation that keep many Birmingham residents out of the workforce?