On The Job TV

/ ACCS Chancellor Interview / Park Rangers / On December 1, 2009, Dr. Freida Hill, became Chancellor of the Alabama Community College System.   Dr. Hill sat down with us a few weeks ago for an in-depth interview where she touched on the state of the two-year system, her goals for the system and what the future might hold. Alabama is home to some of the most beautiful forests, lakes, and streams in the country. 95% of the forests in Alabama are privately owned are privately own with the remaining 5% belonging to the State of Alabama and Government. In addition to being Alabama’s Number One Industry, these forests, lakes, and streams, also provide habitats for wildlife and are also a source of recreation for Alabamians such as camping, hiking, fishing and hunting. Although much of Alabama’s forest are wild and untamed there is a need for policing.

/ Banks Middle School Podcasting / Dream It Do It In the town of Banks, Alabama, there is a small school doing big things. The school is Banks Middle School and they have created a daily new podcast that is not only broadcasted at their school, but on their local television channel. Bobby Jon visited the school to see their production in action. Their production is comprised of students from two classes, Ms. Gay’s English Class and Ms. Macchia’s Gifted class. Together, this team of student produce, write, film, and edit their own podcast, WBTV Bobcat TV. Banks Middle School Podcast Website “Dream It Do It” is an initative put together by several corporations to encourage individuals to look at working in careers that require a 2-year College career. We share the information to you by introducing you to the director of the program for this region, Mr. Ronnie Boles, and then we present to you their promotional video production entitled, “Dream It Do It” Dream It Do It Website

/ Bio-Diesel / Von Gal / For years now Alternative fuels have been a hot topic for politicians and consumers alike. The biggest push for something other than petroleum based fuels seems to come when gas prices start going up. One of the best known and least available alternative fuels is bio diesel. Interestingly enough, bio diesel has been around for almost 160 years. In the 1893 Rudolph Diesel created his compression engine to replace the inefficient steam engines that powered most of the heavy equipment of the day. His thought was it would be cheaper, quicker and easier for farmers to rely on their own crops to power their machinery than more expensive forms of fuel such as the petroleum products used today. Flash forward 80 years and bio diesel is back on the table as a viable alternative fuel. So much so, that so called “home brew” kits are now widely available and popular on the Internet. And it’s just not individuals that are trying to make the switch to bio-diesel. Some cities in Alabama are making the switch to this home grown fuel. Founded in 1957, the Von Gal company began with the pioneering efforts of George Von Gal. His early, highly innovative design work led to the invention of a machine that automatically palletizes 24 bottle wooded cases of Coca-Cola. The company grew to become the world leader in palletizing solutions. On The Job dropped in on the Von GAL to find out more about the company and the types of jobs involved.

/ Sugar Creek Waste Water Treatment Plant / Water… It’s a vital natural resource… IT covers 70 % of the planet. And people love to take advantage of its many uses. It is a resource that is often taken for granted, but is vital to the balance of life. Cities are huge consumers of water resources, and municipalities bare the responsibility for treating all the wastewater that is created. We visited Sugar Creek Waste Water Treatment Plant in Alex City and learned a little about jobs related to Water Treatment. http://www.alexandercityonline.com/wastewater.htm

/ Pre-Apprentice Utility Lineworker Program – Central Alabama Community College / There is a large demand for qualified utility linesman. Approximately, 8000 jobs are needed, however, only about 400 jobs were filled. This opens up thousands of opportunities for more individuals to have a part in this profession. New infrastructure and inclement weather keeps people in this industry very busy. So, we visited the Pre-Apprentice utility Lineworker program at Central Alabama Community College to see just what it takes to be a Utility Linesman and to help YOU figure out if it’s a career for you. Central Alabama Community College – Lineworker Program Bureau of Labor Statistics – Lineworker Information

/ Henry Cattle Company / Maze Farms / Veal, steak, ground beef; All of these cuts of meat come from cows. According to the USDA, In 2008 Americans consumed 27.3 billion pounds of beef. In addition the beef cattle production industry grosses approximately 34.9 billion dollars per year. Beef cattle ranching is a large segment of American Agriculture and is one of the largest industries in the world. Here in Alabama we have our fair share of farmers, but many of us have no idea about the career opportunities in this field. Today we visited Henry Cattle Company in Pintlala. Today the economic impact of the Poultry Industry in Alabama is $8.5 Billion Dollars and generates about 75,000 jobs, which is 10 percent of the State’s Economy. Alabama ranks 13th nationally in total egg production, but ranks 3rd in “broiler” production behind Arkansas and Georgia. On the Job went “Down on the Farm” to find out more about “broiler” production with Maze Farms.

/ American Pipe Company / Drake State – Engineering Graphics Technology / American Cast Iron Pipe Company is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of ductile iron pipe as well as an array of other products. Headquartered in Birmingham in 1905, ACIPCO is the world’s largest individual iron pipe casting plant. We talked with employees and learned a little about their jobs. Drake State Technical College’s Engineering Graphics Technology program in Huntsville prepares students to for careers in mechanical, architectural or electronic drafting fields.  We visited the program to get an idea of what is involved in this type of program.

/ UAB – CPR / Hudson Alpha / It used to be that video games didn’t require their users to be very active. But with the introduction of Nintendo’s Wii gaming system, the games have become more interactive. In fact now, there are programs centered around exercise routines and fitness. Students and instructors at UAB Biomedical Engineering program decided they would take this interactivity one step further and turn it into a teaching tool. The field of biotechnology has grown tremendously in the past 15 years. And while we have daily contact with the industry through the medicines we take or the food we eat, few of us know much about this growing industry. And it’s becoming more and more important. We visited Hudson Alpha in Huntsville and learned about the opportunities being created through research at this facility.

/ Sellers / LBW / Have you ever driven by a wooded area, and wondered what happens if someone wanted to “manage” or “oversee” a forest? Well, we did, so “On the Job” took a trip down to visit Lurleen Burleen Wallace Community College forestry department to get a first hand look at what the world of forestry procurement is all about. Successful management of Alabama’s Timberlands and Resources are key in supporting this multi-billion dollar industry. And with the Forest Industry being the #1 manufacturing industry in Alabama it’s easy to see why Education and Jobs in the Forestry Business are important. So, if calling “the great outdoors” your office sounds appealing, then maybe a job in the Forest Industry is right for you…

/ Old Iron Doors / Doors… They open. They close. They let people in, and they keep people out. They come in all different types and sizes… and through out history have played a functional role in our everyday lives. Though their ‘function’ is simple enough, their ‘form’ can be anything from simplistically adequate to lavishly ornate. Marrying these two concepts is Old Iron Doors: a modern day company keeping an old world art form alive through the production of custom ornamental wrought iron doors, gates, handrails, banisters, and windows. On The Job headed up to Bessemer, AL to find out more about this company, and about the jobs and skills required to manufacture these custom iron products.

/ Scale Reproductions / Scale Reproductions in Foley builds scale models, replicas, mock-ups and prototypes for many different types of industries including: Architecture, Maritime, Aerospace, and many more. We spoke with some of Scale Reproductions Model builders to learn what’s involved in building scale models.

/ AirEvac Lifeteam / Homeland Security – Chattahoochee Valley Community College / One of the largest private air ambulance companies in the US is AirEvac. With 88 stations across the south and Midwest, AirEVAC has carved out a niche by providing medical service in rural areas. On The Job, had the opportunity to spend some time with the AirEvac Lifeteam out of Elmore, AL. Following the aftermath of September 11, 2001, a new department was created with the primary mission of protecting the American and it’s people. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 called for the creation of the Department of Homeland Security. In short, the department’s aim is to safeguard the American people against any national or world threat. Jobs in Homeland Security exist at the State, Federal, and Local Government levels. On The Job had the opportunity to explore educational opportunities in Homeland Security in Phoenix City, at Chattahoochee Valley Community College’s, Homeland Security program.

/ University of Alabama Geological Science / TTL, LLC / We visited the Geological Science program at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and learned about the many different aspects of this field and the many career opportunities. Then, we visited TTL, who is a company specializing in geological type services, including geotechnical, analytical and environmental services, all which are linked to geological science. Watch as we explore both location and discover their similarities. University of Alabama Geological Sciences Website TTL Website

/ Bevill State Community College – Mining Program / We visited Bevill State Community College in Sumiton to learn about their state of the art Mine Technology Program. Since 1975 Bevill State has been the only college in the state to provide training in the mining industry. With so many changes in the business landscape today, many people are going back to school and getting new training so they can find work in existing industries, and Bevill is helping to train thousands of new mine workers. Bevill State – Mining Program Website

/ Snowmasters / TLS Lighting / In Alabama we rarely see snow, at least any snow that amounts to anything. Yet in rural northwest Alabama, there’s one company that’s making it snow, not just here, but all over the world. We visited Snowmasters in Lexington and learned about their growing business. “We light the Stars,” that’s the motto of Huntsville, Alabama’s, Theatrical Lighting Systems. During this segment president David Milley, discusses his idea to establish a premier lighting studio, while a student at University of Alabama-Huntsville. Since the inception of his idea, over 30 years ago, TLS lighting has now reached new heights as one of the premier lighting companies in the country. From working with musical acts such as Trisha Yearwood, Kenny Chesney, and Brad Paisley, to lighting some of the largest church conventions in the country, find out why Theatrical Lighting Systems, “Lights The Stars!”