HANCEVILLE, Ala. – Wallace State Community College’s Future Foundation received $50,000 from the Women’s Foundation of Alabama (WFA) – Good Jobs Challenge Award that will help train pharmacy technicians and fill a need for those workers in the college’s coverage area.
Wallace State’s Good Jobs as Pharmacy Technicians initiative is strategically crafted to address the needs of an underserved population, particularly women and single mothers living in poverty. Recognizing the financial barriers to education, the project will provide essential scholarship opportunities to offset the costs associated with training. Wallace State and the WFA will provide training scholarships to 20 women this fall.
“The Good Jobs as Pharmacy Technicians project at Wallace State is committed to supporting women in poverty by proactively removing any potential barriers to success they may encounter along the journey,” said Kristen Holmes, vice president for students at Wallace State Community College.
Pharmacy technicians are in high demand in North Central Alabama, said Suzanne Harbin, Vice President for Advancement, citing economic modeling data from Lightcast that reveals that in 2023, 133 employers were competing for pharmacy technicians in the college’s five-county service area, and hiring an average of 110 a month.
“Still, the demand for certified pharmacy technicians is growing,” Harbin added. “More than 440 jobs posted in this service area last year requested certification – a nearly 10 percent growth rate as compared to the relative market. This requirement is expected to continue.”
For more information or to register, contact Jessica Pritchett at 256-352-7454 or jessica.pritchett@wallacestate.edu. Classes are scheduled for Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m.-noon Sept. 23-Dec. 16.
Along with Pharmacy Technician Training, the Center for Career and Workforce Development also offers other health science courses in CPR, Medication Assistant, Certified Nursing Assistant, Phlebotomy and more. All classes are conducted at the Workforce Training Center in Cullman, located on the campus of REHAU Automotive.
Visit www.wallacestate.edu/ccwd to view the current course schedule and get more information about courses and programs offered through the Center for Career and Workforce Development.
