On Tuesday, Governor Kay Ivey awarded J.F. Ingram State Technical College the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship (AOA) Work Based Learning Seal of Excellence for the inaugural diesel mechanic apprenticeship with Montgomery-based FourStar Freightliner.

“It is an honor to receive the Seal of Excellence for the diesel mechanic apprenticeship,” said President Annette Funderburk. “The partnership between the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship, Alabama Department of Corrections, and FourStar Freightliner established a high-quality apprenticeship program designed to create a workforce pathway for justice-involved individuals into a long-term career.

Alongside President Funderburk to accept the award was Dr. William Young, Dean of Instruction, LaShanda Hails, Director of Pardons and Paroles Programming, Dr. Ira Phillips, Workforce Coordinator, and apprentice student Price Jenkins.

Prince Jenkins had the opportunity to provide his personal testimony during the conference. Mr. Jenkins has been an active apprentice since 2022, and is scheduled to graduate Ingram State in Summer 2024. He will begin full-time employment at FourStar Freightliner in the Fall.

The diesel mechanic apprenticeship is one part of a comprehensive program designed to prepare students for the transition from classroom to workforce. Participants will complete technical courses and earn select lab credit hours as apprentices through Four Star Freightliner.

During the in-field training, students will work with skilled professionals to maintain and repair diesel engines, as they would on the job. As they progress in the program their in-field hours will increase, enhancing their experience. Students who complete both the program of study and the apprenticeship will then become full-time employees at Four Star Freightliner through the ADOC work release program. 

J. F. Ingram State Technical College is a fully accredited member of the Alabama Community College System serving incarcerated students exclusively. The College offers training in 18 career and technical programs.