Martha Compton, former director of Florida Panhandle Technical College in Chipley, Florida, is bringing her experience to Wallace Community College in Dothan, Alabama.
Wallace Community College Dothan works with businesses and employers to design specific training programs for employers. Compton’s experience meshes well with Wallace’s in achieving these goals.
“We are excited to have Ms. Compton join our Wallace family’, says Leslie Reeder, Dean of Instructional Affairs at Wallace Community College.
‘Her knowledge and extensive experience will certainly help our institution provide additional opportunities that will strengthen the success of our students and area communities’, Reeder finishes.
Compton accepted the position of Business and Industry Coordinator following her retirement from Florida Panhandle Technical College in November 2020, after 30 years in the Washington County, Florida School District.
‘The ultimate goal of education is to spark a pursuit of knowledge and gain skills for the perfect career’, says Compton.
WCCD is a Registered Apprenticeship Program Sponsor, a program validated by the U.S. Department of Labor and supported by the Alabama Community College System. The interest in apprenticeships is surging as a way to address the lack of a skilled workforce and retirement of experienced employees.
‘The apprenticeship may involve an individual who never expected to have any experience with higher education, and participating in college coursework and training is a plus for the student’s resume and confidence’.
According to Dr. Bill Sellers, associate dean, career technical division of WCCD, ‘An apprentice obtains increased knowledge that meets industry standards, tailored to the specific needs of businesses, resulting in highly-skilled employees. They receive a paycheck that is guaranteed to increase as training progresses while earning a nationally-recognized portable credential. The end result is a win-win for both the apprentice and the business’.
The program requires collaboration with Chamber members, workforce boards, employment offices, local governments, economic developers, school systems and employers, which is key to keeping abreast of current and emerging workforce needs.
For more information on Wallace’s Apprenticeship Program, contact Martha Compton (mcompton@wallace.edu) or Amber Dunlap (adunlap@wallace.edu).
