The Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Council (SAWDC AlabamaWorks), which has served as a bridge between education, industry and the community since 2008, will dissolve later this year, as part of the state’s workforce development realignment.

"After careful consideration, the SAWDC Executive Committee has voted to dissolve the organization by June 30, 2025," the organization said Friday in a statement. "This decision was not made lightly, as it reflects a response to the recent Alabama Workforce Transformation Act, which will realign the state’s funding for workforce initiatives. These changes will redirect efforts across the state and have, in turn, reshaped SAWDC’s ability to continue serving our community in its current capacity."

Since its founding, SAWDC has served as a bridge between education, industry and the community, connecting job seekers to training opportunities and helping employers meet labor demands. The organization has played a critical role in workforce development across a nine-county region, including Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe, Washington and Wilcox counties.

SAWDC will continue delivering programs through June including the Educator Workforce Academy, Career Coach Connect, AIDT Leadership Skills Courses, Dale Carnegie workshops, hiring events and summer internship development. Efforts are underway to ensure a smooth transition for these initiatives.

The organization has identified five high-demand industry clusters—aviation, construction, healthcare, hospitality and tourism and manufacturing—to guide its training programs. Over the years, SAWDC has helped thousands of individuals secure jobs in high-demand fields, provided skills training to support career growth and collaborated with employers to address regional labor needs.

One of SAWDC’s flagship programs, Worlds of Opportunity (WOO), has introduced thousands of middle school students to career pathways. The organization has also provided leadership at regional, state and national levels to align training resources with evolving industry demands.

With the state’s workforce structure changing, SAWDC leaders expressed appreciation for the partnerships that have supported its mission.

“We look forward to continuing our partnerships in new capacities as workforce practitioners, ensuring that our shared mission of empowering our region’s workforce remains strong,” the statement said.

SAWDC’s investors and partners have played a key role in building an integrated workforce system that connects industry, students and job seekers. As the transition approaches, efforts are focused on ensuring continuity for its programs under the state’s new workforce framework.

"Serving Southwest Alabama has been both an honor and a privilege," the organization said. "Thank you for your continued support and collaboration, which have been the backbone of SAWDC’s accomplishments. We are immensely proud of what we have achieved together, and we look forward to building upon this legacy as we move into the future."

For more information, visit www.sawdcalabamaworks.com.