Certificate

Industrial Training Academy

Program
Workforce Education

Distribution Control Center

Jefferson State is proud to continue the program in partnership with Alabama Power and other utility companies for Distribution Control Center roles in the Greater Birmingham region.

10-Week Program 

100% Attendance Required

Course Objectives:

The Distribution Control Center (DCC) Program is designed to provide participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively manage and operate electrical distribution systems. This program covers fundamental electrical principles, control center operations, and hands-on practices related to both overhead and underground equipment. It prepares individuals for careers in the operation and maintenance of electrical grids, with a focus on ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable power distribution to customers.

These roles require a strong understanding of electrical systems, safety protocols, and effective communication skills to manage operations and respond to emergencies. The DCC program provides the foundational knowledge and practical experience necessary for these positions.

Key Components:

  • Generator to Customer and Electrical Grid Overview
  • Basic Math
  • Basic Electricity
  • Introduction into ADMS Systems
  • Outage Management
  • Overhead Equipment Introduction
  • Overhead Switching
  • SOPD Prep and Testing
  • Underground Equipment Introduction
  • Underground Switching
  • Resume and Interview Skills
  • Substation Switching
  • Operating the Electrical System

Eligibility Requirements and Essential Job Functions Include:

  • Class is 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday most weeks on site at Jefferson State’s Shelby-Hoover Campus and Alabama Power’s HQ. The program is 10 weeks long. Must be 18 years old at time of application.
  • High school diploma or GED required.
  • Present a drug screen report valid within 30 days of the interview for those accepted and submit to a background check if accepted into the program.(This will be a cost to the student).
  • Applicant is required to provide proof of his or her ACT score of 18 or better and within the last three years. If an applicant has not taken the ACT or does not have an ACT score of 18 then applicant is required to take the Test for Adult Basic Education (TABE) assessment. TABE grade equivalent of 6 or better is required in Math and Reading to be considered for the program.
  • Computer skills are required for this program.
  • Strong organizational skills combined with the ability to multi-task and perform under pressure for extended periods of time without negatively affecting quality or quantity of work produced.
  • Ability to pass Alabama Power SOPD assessment.
  • Must possess exceptional customer service.
  • Scholarship opportunities may be available for qualified and selected applicants.

Related occupations gained from this training:

  • Graduates of the Distribution Control Center (DCC) program are equipped with skills applicable to various roles within the electrical distribution and utility sectors. These positions involve overseeing and managing the distribution of electrical power, ensuring system reliability, and coordinating responses to outages.
  • Distribution System Operator: Responsible for monitoring and controlling the flow of electricity through the distribution network, ensuring efficient and reliable power delivery to customers.

Certification

Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive a Certificate of Completion from Jefferson State

Course Length 

368 Instructional Hours 

Electrical

This course provides training in safety, electrical circuits and theory, introduction to the National Electrical Code (NEC), device boxes, hand bending, wireways, raceways, fittings, electrical test equipment, conductors and cables, basic electrical construction documents and residential wiring.

  • Recognize and use electrical safety rules and precautions
  • Explain the difference between Conductors and Insulators
  • Understand and explain Principles of Magnetism
  • Calculate current and electron flow in a DC circuit
  • Demonstrate methods to produce Voltage
  • Understand and Explain the use of Batteries and Cells
  • Understand and Explain Direct Current Sources
  • Use Ohm's Law in Problem Solving
  • Identify resistance, current ,and voltage
  • Interpret DE series circuits and schematics
  • Interpret DC parallel circuits and schematics
  • Conduct Lab Experiments and problem solving DC circuits

Practical Components (Throughout the Course)

  • Hands-on practice with wiring, installation, and troubleshooting
  • Site visits or virtual tours of electrical installations

Guest lectures from industry professionals

Certificate

Upon completion of the course, students will be awarded a Certificate of Completion from Jefferson State

Jefferson State Community College Workforce Center 
2601 Carson Road, Birmingham, AL 35215

Program Requirements:

  • Must be 18 years of age or older
  • Submit only one application. Multiple applications will result in denial.
  • Complete the Workforce Fast-Track Application in its entirety.
  • Submit a valid government-issues photo ID
  • Submit a high school diploma, GED or college transcript.
  • Complete the 60 questions Career Assessment (Career Assessment must match the program of interest)

Document Upload Link:
https://jeffersonstate.my.salesforce-sites.com/inquiry/TargetX_Base__InquiryForm#?formId=a0BVO000003u7hp2AA&formType=general

Career Assessment Requirement:

Applicants must complete the Match My Interest Career Assessment:

  1. Visit: https://jeffersonstate.lightcastcc.com/?radius=&region=Jefferson%20State
  2. Click "Match My Interests."
  3. Complete all 60 assessment questions.
  4. Create a profile after completing the assessment so results can be reviewed.

Once applications are received, qualified applicants will be contacted regarding the interview process.

Field Engineering  

Course Objectives

Site layout is an important phase of any construction activity from beginning to end. The impact of good layout practices in terms of time, money, and construction efficiency increases with the size of the project. Site layout technicians typically survey and otherwise gather information about a proposed job site. As a job progresses, they lay out the location of structures and other features on the site, check the dimensions of the structures as they are being built, document the completed work, and verify that all the work is done in accordance with the design plans and specifications. Topics covered in this two-level curriculum include: Surveying Math, Blueprint Reading for Surveyors, and Control Setup.

Level One:

  • Introduction to Site Layout
  • Surveying Math
  • Survey Equipment Use and Care
  • Blueprint Reading for Surveyors Level Two
  • Advanced Surveying Math
  • Survey Equipment Use and Care Two
  • Control Setup
  • Boundary and Topography Surveys
  • Date Collection and Basic Computer Skills
  • Concrete Properties and Quality Control Means and Methods

Course Length 

433 Instructional Hours 

Certification 

Upon successful completion of the Construction Field Engineer program, students will receive a Certificate of Completion from Jefferson State and have the option to sit for NCCER certification. 

Heavy Equipment Operator 

Heavy equipment operators (HEO) not only work on regular construction building jobs, but also on infrastructure projects (roads, bridges, and ports, otherwise called non-building construction), and in mining and timber operations. A trained and experienced equipment operator provides the necessary skills for any project that requires moving and transporting heavy materials, or that demands any kind of earth moving. Students will learn the role and responsibilities of heavy equipment operators, as well as the ability to identify and describe heavy equipment machines. The two main heavy equipment pieces this program will focus on are the Excavator and Wheel Loader.

Course Objectives

  • Explain the role and responsibilities of heavy equipment operators in the construction industry.
  • Heavy Equipment Safety.
  • Identify and describe heavy equipment.
  • Explain hydraulic systems and their components.
  • Basic operational techniques.
  • Describe different types of utility tractors and their equipment.
  • Describe the procedures for starting, operating, and shutting down a utility tractor.
  • Introduction to Earth moving.
  • Explain how to plan and lay out a site for grading.
  • Describe equipment and methods used in making measurements and establishing finish grades.

Course Length 

90 Instructional Hours 

HVAC

The HVAC program imparts essential technical knowledge and skills needed to repair, install, service, and maintain heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. The curriculum covers diagnostic techniques, the use of testing equipment, and the principles of mechanics, electricity, and electronics relevant to HVAC repair. Participants will earn a JSCC Certificate of Completion and the EPA Section 608 Refrigerant certification. 

  • Understand the principles of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration.
  • Grasp thermodynamics and heat transfer methods involved in HVAC systems.
  • Implement industry-standard safety practices and OSHA regulations.
  • Identify and utilize common hand and power tools specific to HVAC tasks.
  • Maintain and troubleshoot basic HVAC tools and equipment.
  • Explain the components and operation of the refrigeration cycle.
  • Recognize the properties, environmental impact, and safe handling of different understand basic electrical theory related to HVAC systems.
  • Interpret wiring diagrams and schematics and perform basic electrical troubleshooting.
  • Describe the types, components, and operation of various heating systems (furnaces, boilers, heat pumps).
  • Understand the operation, installation, and maintenance of heating systems.
  • Understand the operation, installation, and maintenance of heating systems of different cooling systems (central air conditioners, split systems).
  • Design and install ductwork systems.
  • Measure and balance airflow and pressure.
  • Implement strategies to improve indoor air quality, including ventilation, filtration and humidity control.
  • Grasp the function of HVAC control systems and thermostats.
  • Install, wire, and program different types of thermostats.
  • Plan, layout, and install HVAC systems effectively. 
  • Perform preventive maintenance, inspection, and servicing of HVAC systems.
  • Diagnose common HVAC problems using appropriate tools and techniques.
  • Repair or replace faulty components efficiently.
  • Recognize the differences and complexities of commercial HAVC systems.
  • Familiarize with the components, installation, and maintenance practices of commercial systems.
  • Understand advanced systems like heat pumps, geothermal, solar heating and colling, and hydronic heating systems.

Practical Components (Throughout the Course)

  • Hands-on practice with HVAC equipment and systems
  • Site visits or virtual tours of HVAC installations
  • Guest lectures from industry professionals

Certificate

Upon completion of the course, students will be awarded a Certificate of Completion from Jefferson State.

Program Location:

Jefferson State Community College Workforce Center 
2601 Carson Road, Birmingham, AL 35215

Program Requirements:

  • Must be 18 years of age or older.
  • Submit only one application. Multiple applications will result in denial.
  • Complete the Workforce Fast-Track Application in its entirety.
  • Submit a valid government-issued photo ID.
  • Submit a high school diploma, GED, or college transcript.
  • Complete the 60 questions Career Assessment (Career Assessment must match the program of interest)

Document Upload Link:
https://jeffersonstate.my.salesforce-sites.com/inquiry/TargetX_Base__InquiryForm#?formId=a0BVO000003u7hp2AA&formType=general

Career Assessment Requirement:

Applicants must complete the Match My Interests Career Assessment:

  1. Visit: https://jeffersonstate.lightcastcc.com/?radius=&region=Jefferson%20State
  2. Click "Match My Interests."
  3. Complete all 60 assessment questions.
  4. Create a profile after completing the assessment so results can be reviewed.

Once applications are received, qualified applicants will be contacted regarding the interview process.

Lineworker Program 

 This 10-week program, high-demand field, will train student in OSHA 10, Construction and Skills Trades (CAST) Test Prep, Basic Pole Climbing, CPR/First Aid, Truck Driving Overview, Material Familiarization, Basic Electricity, Interpersonal Skills, Ladder Safety/Post Hole Diggers, Knots, Sledgehammer, Rigging Switches; Use and care of Hand Line, Resume writing/Mock Interviews, Climbing and Working Aloft, Mechanized Equipment Basic Line Construction/Pole top Rescue, ROV Training, Traffic Control, Chainsaw, Commercial Driver Training (CDL) and basic fiber optics. 100% attendance is required. 

Eligibility Requirements

  • Minimum age of 18 years old
  • Must be 18 years old the day before Screening/Pole Climbing Evaluation
  • High School Diploma/ GED

Essential Job Functions

  • Climbing and working suspended above ground up to 200 feet
  • Students weigh no more than 280 pounds due to OSHA equipment restrictions
  • Fitness is required. If participants are unable to meet the physical requirements of this program, the tuition cost will not be refunded
  • Ability to lift 50 pounds or more
  • Ability to earn a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires a physical before a Commercial Driver’s Permit will be issued. Possible CDL health disqualifiers: epilepsy, kidney disease, narcolepsy or sleep apnea, color blindness, blind in one eye, must be able to hear all sounds 40 decibels or less, heart disease or hypertension, severe respiratory condition, loss of use of an extremity, diabetes currently requiring insulin, congestive cardiac failure, pacemakers, orthopedic or vascular disease, and psychiatric disorder; just to name a few

Course Length 

360 Instructional Hours 

Certification

Upon successful completion of the Lineworker program, students will receive:

  • Certificate of Completion from Jefferson State
  • OSHA 10 Safety
  • Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Card
  • Fiber Optics Certification of Completion

Multi-Craft Maintenance Tech Program

The Multi-Craft Maintenance Technician course is designed to equip students with a broad range of skills necessary to maintain, troubleshoot, and a repair various systems industrial and commercial settings. This comprehensive program combines theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on training to prepare students for entry level positions in the maintenance field. The course spans 16 weeks and covers essential areas such as electrical systems, mechanical systems, fluid power, HVAC plumbing, welding and industrial automation.

  • Identify and properly use common hand tools and power tools specific to maintenance tasks.
  • Maintain and troubleshoot basic maintenance tools and equipment.
  • Understand electrical theory (Ohm’s Law, series and parallel circuits) and units of measure.
  • Read and interpret electrical diagrams and schematics.
  • Perform basic electrical troubleshooting and maintenance.
  • Identify types of electrical systems in industrial settings and their components.
  • Apply wiring methods and standards (NEC) for installation and maintenance.
  • Grasp basic mechanical principles (force, motion, energy).
  • Understand the operation and maintenance of mechanical drives, bearings, and seals.
  • Apply lubrication and mechanical maintenance practices.
  • Grasp the principles of hydraulics and pneumatics.
  • Identify components and interpret schematics of fluid power systems.
  • Perform maintenance and troubleshooting of hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
  • Understand the principles and components of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
  • Understand basic plumbing principles and systems.
  • Identify types of pipes, fittings, and valves.
  • Grasp the principles of welding and metal fabrication.
  • Apply safety practices in welding and perform basic welding and fabrication tasks.
  • Grasp the basics of industrial automation and control systems.
  • Identify components and perform basic programming and troubleshooting of PLCs.
  • Grasp principles and techniques of predictive and preventive maintenance.

Develop and implement maintenance schedules and perform condition monitoring.

Practical Components (Throughout the Course)

  • Hands-on practice with tools, equipment, and systems
  • Site visits or virtual tours of industrial facilities
  • Guest lectures from industry professionals

Certificate

Upon completion of the course, students will be awarded a Certificate of Completion from Jefferson State

Program Location

Jefferson State Community College Workforce Center 
2601 Carson Road, Birmingham, AL 35215

Program Requirements:

  • Must be 18 years of age or older.
  • Submit only one application. Multiple applications will result in denial.
  • Complete the Workforce Fast-Track Application in its entirety.
  • Submit a valid government-issued photo ID.
  • Submit a high school diploma, GED or college transcript.
  • Complete the 60 questions Career Assessment (Career Assessment must match the program of interest)         

Document Upload Link:
https://jeffersonstate.my.salesforce-sites.com/inquiry/TargetX_Base__InquiryForm#?formId=a0BVO000003u7hp2AA&formType=general

Career Assessment Requirement: 
Applicants must complete the Match My Interests Career Assessment:

  1. Visit: https://jeffersonstate.lightcastcc.com/?radius=&region=Jefferson%20State        
  2. Click "Match My Interests."
  3. Complete all 60 assessment questions.
  4. Create a profile after completing the assessment so results can be reviewed.  

Once applications are received, qualified applicants will be contacted regarding the interview process.

OSHA Certification Training

The OSHA Outreach Training Program is OSHA’s primary way to train workers in the basics of occupational safety and health. The OSHA General Industry Outreach Training Programs were developed by the OSHA Training Institute with the intent to assist employers in training and introducing employees to the basic practices of identifying, reducing, eliminating, and reporting hazards associated with their work.

OSHA stands for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. It was created in 1970 to prevent hazardous working conditions. To do so, OSHA requires workers to complete safety compliance training courses covering lessons on how to eliminate or reduce occupational injury, illness, and death. OSHA courses are here to assist U.S. employers in staying compliant with training obligations outlined in OSHA Standards.

OSHA 10 Training:

 OSHA 10-hour training teaches basic safety and health information to entry-level workers in construction and general industry. It is part of the OSHA Outreach Training Program, which explains serious workplace hazards, workers’ rights, employer responsibilities and how to file an OSHA complaint. This training is designed for entry-level workers in construction and general industry. While the OSHA Outreach Training Program is voluntary, employers may require you to earn an OSHA 10 card before you start work. This training is also mandatory in certain states, cities and local jurisdictions.

Program Benefits

  • Promotes safety culture through peer training

  • Training is intended to be participatory, using hands-on activities

  • Trainers are able to tailor the training topics based on specific needs of their audience

  • Outreach training content includes hazard recognition and avoidance, workers' rights, employer responsibilities, and how to file a complaint; it emphasizes the value of safety and health to workers, including young workers

Course Length

10 Instructional Hours

Certification

Upon successful completion of the 10-hour training students will receive an OSHA 10 card.

Truck Driver Training/CDL Program                                                                                                                                                 

This 3-week behind the wheel training is designed to thoroughly prepare students to enter into the job market as a professional truck driver. In this course, the students will learn all the rules and regulations of Department of Transportation and Federal Motor Carrier, as it pertains to the role of a professional driver. In conjunction with the rules and control systems, vehicle inspection (pre-trip and post-trip), reporting, basic control shifting, backing, coupling and uncoupling, visual search communication, speed and space management, night operation, driving conditions, vehicle systems, hazard perception, railroad crossing emergency maneuvers, skid control, preventive maintenance, handling cargo, cargo documentation, hazardous material, hours of services, trip planning (map reading), accident procedures, security of cargo, and defensive driving.

Please review the requirements below for CDL classes. Note there are multiple steps in the application process, and candidates should check their emails for ongoing communications.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • High School Diploma or GED*
  • Driver's License for at least one year
  • Social Security Card
  • Read and speak English
  • MVR (Motor Vehicle Record)
  • DOT Physical long form with DOT drug screening
  • DOT medical card
  • CDL Class A permit prior to submitting application
  • 100% attendance M-F 7:00 am-4:00 pm

*If you do not meet this requirement, we encourage you to contact our Adult Education Department

Course Length                                                                              

40 Behind the Wheel Instructional Hours

Certification 

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be eligible to take the Alabama Road Test. After successfully completing the Road Test, students will receive documentation needed to obtain their Commercial Driving License from their local DMV. 

Welding

As a welder, you may set-up, operate or tend welding, soldering or brazing machines. Welders also operate laser cutter or laser-beam machines. The American Welding Society projects a deficit of 290,000 skilled welders in this country. This fast-track program will prepare students to apply technical knowledge and skills when bonding or cutting metal parts. 

Course Objectives

  • Learn welding symbols, reading welding detail drawings.
  • Learn the physical characteristics and mechanical properties of metals.
  • Learn the process of preheating of metals, post heating of metals, and so much more.
  • Prepare students in FCAW and GMAW to be proficient in 3 positions of welding to enhance their knowledge of welding symbols and understanding weld drawings.

Course Length 

90 Instructional Hours 

Certification 

Upon successful completion of the Welding program, students will receive a Certificate of Completion from Jefferson State.