Inaugural ACTIVATE career readiness program graduates first class

The first class of participants in a new career readiness program aimed at increasing the number of Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) correctional officers graduated last week, marking the successful completion of the six-week program hosted at Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham and Reid State Technical College in Evergreen.

A total of 23 residents completed the program. As a result, they earned college credits and are now eligible to enroll in the ADOC’s Corrections Academy, joining the Correctional Officer Class 2024-04 that begins Sept. 30.

ACTIVATE is a joint initiative between ADOC and the Alabama Community College System (ACCS) that offers a no-cost pathway to a career as a correctional officer, helping individuals who may face physical or educational barriers meet the standards necessary to join the profession. The program is part of ADOC’s larger recruitment efforts, which have been bolstered by competitive starting salaries for correctional officers, currently ranging from $52,761.60 to $58,111.20 annually. Officers also have the potential to receive approximately 30 percent in salary increases within their first 24 months of service.

“ACTIVATE is a critical piece in our recruitment and retention efforts,” said ADOC Commissioner John Hamm. “These graduates now have a clear path forward with the ADOC, and we are grateful to the ACCS for their invaluable partnership in making this initiative possible.”

ACCS Chancellor Jimmy H. Baker emphasized the system’s commitment to creating opportunities for Alabama residents. “As we continue to make life better by helping citizens reach their goals, ACTIVATE demonstrates how partnerships are integral to our system’s success,” he said.

In addition to ACTIVATE, the ACCS offers a variety of no-cost public safety training programs for law enforcement officers across Alabama. ACCS Chief Safety and Security Officer Mark Bailey said more than 2,500 officers have already benefited from these programs, which include training in crime scene investigation, evidence collection, crisis negotiation, and more.

“Law enforcement goes beyond enforcing the law. It’s about building trust and ensuring safety in our communities,” he said. “Through our 24 community colleges, we are well-positioned to provide convenient, high-quality training to law enforcement officers statewide.”

About the ACCS: Alabama’s community and technical colleges were merged into one system May 3, 1963, when legislators laid the groundwork for a unified system of institutions to focus on accessible training in “arts and sciences and in useful skills and trades” for current and future labor needs. Sixty years have passed, but that important cause remains the singular purpose of the Alabama Community College System (ACCS). 

With 24 community and technical colleges in more than 130 locations and an economic impact of $6.6 billion, the ACCS is Alabama’s gateway to first-class, affordable education and technical training to compete in a constantly evolving workforce. An estimated 170,000 Alabamians benefit from the various certification, credential, dual enrollment and degree programs the ACCS offers alongside leading industry partners. The System includes the Alabama Technology Network, which provides extensive training and service offerings directly to business and industry, and the ACCS Innovation Center, which provides rapid skills training through its Skills for Success program.

The ACCS is governed by the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees. 

For more information about the ACTIVATE program, visit: www.doc.alabama.gov/employment. For more information about free public safety training programs, visit: www.accs.edu/publicsafety.