Alabaster City Schools will open a new trade program center in the former Winn-Dixie

Alabaster City Schools will soon be able to offer trade programs to high school students close to their homes.

School officials recently purchased the former Winn-Dixie building on Highway 119 for $1.9 million and will be the new ACS Champions Craft Academy there.

The school system currently transports students to the Birmingham Craft Training Academy, which is a 45-minute bus ride each way. The new location will shorten the journey to almost five minutes

Superintendent Wayne Vickers said 15 students currently participate in employment programs. Thanks to the new facility, approximately 200 students will have the opportunity to participate in classes.

The facility will provide classes in construction, electricity and welding for high school students.

“These are our three most popular areas in which we will be able to grow,” Vickers said.

The 50,000-square-foot facility currently houses the First United Methodist Church of Alabaster – Restore. Vickers said they will continue to allow the church to use the property.

The facility now located in Alabaster will provide many more students with the opportunity to get involved.

“This is a game changer for students in our community,” Vickers said. “Instead of having to give up being on the band or other extracurricular activities, it will simply be part of their regular school day and they will still be closely connected to our high school.”

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The programs will provide students with hands-on, real-life workforce training.

“There are still about 18-19% of our students who really want to go straight into the workforce, so we can get them on board, get them the training and certifications they need, and get them internships and jobs,” Vickers said. “So when students walk across the stage and make their choice, we already have a connection with them. They get a diploma and a full-time job.”

Vickers said he plans to start construction as soon as possible. Work on programs scheduled to start in August 2025