The Choccolocco Research, Education, and Technical Experience program, also known as CREATE, is set to launch in the city of Oxford. This innovative program will be housed in a 95,000 square foot building that was formerly the Honeywell building and will roll out in three phases.
The first phase of the program is specifically targeted at Oxford high school students and will offer programs such as Engineering, Green Power, Computer Science, Robotics, Comprehensive Commercial Construction, Modern Manufacturing, and Criminal Justice. Phase 2 is set for 2025 and will expand to include all high school students in Calhoun, Cleburne, Clay, Talladega, and St. Clair counties. Phase 3 is expected to be completed by August of 2026 with continued acceptance from the five counties.
In addition to the high school component, an adult training component has already begun in Comprehensive Commercial Construction. This program aims to prepare the workforce in East Alabama for high wage and high demand career fields that currently lack skilled workers. By building a pipeline for companies to find the employees they need, this program aims to bridge the gap between education and employment opportunities for adults in the region.
This initiative is unique in the area as it becomes the only workforce region with an innovative workforce center in the south, central
