Education & Workforce Readiness

A program of the Alabama 4-H Consumer Science Project  & the Alabama Extension Service, partnered by the Shoals Chamber of Commerce. Your Money, your Life is a fun money management program for grades 7-12. It is a simulation of life at age 25. Each participant chooses a career that interests them.  They're given an average salary for the career, a level of education and a family situation. They visit the various real-life stations monitored by volunteers and learn what it takes to make it financially.

The Experience

• A hands-on, real-life simulation that gives youth the opportunity to glance into the future
  in a fun and exciting way.
• An understanding of gross and net pay.
• The experience of payin monthly living expenses. 
• The practice of writing a check and use ofan account ledger
• An opportunity to comparison shop to stay within a budget
  
  

Stations

• Automotive - purchase a vehicle or choose alternate transportation
  like a bus pass.
• Reality - Select housing arrangements
• Clothing - Purchase at least one item from the clothing booth
• Super Mart - Groceries and personal items are a mandatory purchase
• That's Life - Random life occurences.  Participants draw a card and either make a payment or have unexpected income.
• Utilities - Electricity, gas, water and a phone are required.  Cable TV and internet are optional expenses.
• Insurance - Health insurance is a required expense.  Life, dental and renter's insurance are optional. 
  Car insurance is included with the car purchase.
• Just for Fun - Work/life balance is important.  Everyone must purchase one form of entertainment.
• Jobs - Sometimes there is "more month than money".  If someone is in need of a part-time job,
  they can get it here
• Daycare - Working participants with children must pay for daycare.
• Bank - Put money into a savings account, mutual fund, 401k, or CD and pay a student loan.
• Helping Hands Volunteer - Participants have the option of donating any amount of money
  they choose to a charitable organization.
  
  
• Contact:
  Stephanie Newland, Vice President of Education Workforce Readiness
  e: snewland@shoalschamber.com     p: 256-764-4661

The Workforce Readiness Institute for Educators (WRI) brings educators and businesses together in small group discussions and industry tours to help educators see for themselves and better understand how their academic subjects relate to and are used in real jobs within the community.  See full information HERE

Educators who are interested in this program may register HERE

Lesson plans from past participants can be found HERE

Contact:
Stephanie Newland, Vice President of Education Workforce Readiness
e: snewland@shoalschamber.com p: 256-764-4661

The Shoals Chamber of Commerce Member Job Board  HERE

You must be a member to post a job - instructions HERE

Contact:
Stephanie Newland, Vice President of Education Workforce Readiness
e: snewland@shoalschamber.com p: 256-764-4661

 Applications for Leadership Shoals Class 33 are now CLOSED!

Designed to bolster the pool of growth-minded leaders who encourage pro-business decision making and promote collaboration across our region, Leadership Shoals has been redesigned to amplify the value for established leaders within The Shoals.

This 6 month course will consist of monthly sessions where participants will participate in leadership intensives and learn about history, culture, politics, education, and economic development in The Shoals. Additionally, participants will implement their leadership skills by mentoring a participant from the coinciding EMERGE program.

See our dynamic group of 2023 graduates listed HERE

The Shoals Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to introduce our newest leadership initiative in 2022: Leadership Shoals EMERGE. Designed to develop tenacious young professionals in The Shoals who will continue to cultivate our entrepreneurship, business, and education-focused region, Emerge is an extension of the Leadership Shoals program that targets the next generation of professionals.

Inaugural Class has been announced.  See press release here:  PRESS RELEASE

For questions regarding EMERGE,
please contact Olivia Bradford at obradford@shoalschamber.com or 256-764-4661.