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Meta and Holder Construction Launch Hardhat in Hand in Huntsville

The paid, eight-week skilled trades program provides valuable classroom and on-site training

for entry-level jobs in construction

September 7, 2022 (Huntsville, AL.)— Meta and Holder Construction have partnered to bring Hardhat in Hand, Meta’s nationwide skilled trades training program, to Meta’s Huntsville Data Center. This paid, eight-week program focuses on recruiting new people to the construction trades and providing participants with fundamental knowledge relevant to all construction and skilled trade occupations. Hardhat in Hand is run in partnership with the Drake State Community and Technical College (Drake State) and United Way of Madison County.

“The Hardhat in Hand program is a hands-on opportunity to help people in the community acquire the skills they need for reliable, well-paying careers that help build the infrastructure of the future,” said Katie Comer, community development regional manager at Meta. “We’re grateful for the partnership with Holder Construction, Drake State and the United Way of Madison County to offer this unique training program and help participants launch a career in a high-demand field.”

Meta has been part of the Alabama community since breaking ground on its Huntsville Data Center in 2018. According to Holder Construction, there will be 1,300 construction workers on site at peak.

“We appreciate Meta’s forward-thinking commitment to workforce development and are proud to launch the Huntsville Data Center’s first Hardhat in Hand class,” said Beth Lowry, President of Holder Construction-Atlanta. “Holder Construction is partnering with Drake State Technical College, who has years of experience connecting individuals in the Huntsville community with a pathway to a higher living wage through construction. Together, Meta, Holder, Drake State, and the United Way are taking action to solve Alabama’s high-demand construction need by investing back into the local community.”

“Drake State believes in the power of partnerships to affect positive change in our community.” said Dr. Patricia G. Sims, President of Drake State Community and Technical College. “We are thrilled to join Meta and Holder Construction in bringing the Hardhat in Hand Program to North Alabama and creating a new pathway for people to learn highly-marketable construction skills. This onsite training, integrating regular site walks and working real-time with key trade partners, will provide a huge advantage to residents who enroll in the program.

“In a fast-growing area like Huntsville/Madison County, making sure our commercial builders have a ready workforce is essential,” said Cathy Miller, Community Impact Director with the United Way of Madison County. “Thanks to Holder Construction and Meta’s Hardhat in Hand program, that need is being fulfilled while creating pathways for individuals eager to build a career and a future. United Way of Madison County, with our network of key resources and helping hearts and our reputation for successful collaboration, is proud to stand as a community partner. We are dedicated to lowering barriers like transportation, need for unaffordable tools and protective safety gear, so that the Hardhat in Hand students can concentrate on the door of opportunity. Together we can do more.”

Applications for the inaugural cohort of Hardhat in Hand are now being accepted through September 23, 2022. The program begins October 17 and the application can be found at this link. To receive further information, interested individuals can email HardhatInHand@holder.com

We will be holding a Public Information Session on Monday, September 12, 2022 at 6pm. The event will be held at the data center jobsite:

Meta Huntsville Data Center

100 Profile Place

Bldg 102

Huntsville, AL 35810

About Holder Construction

Founded in 1960, Holder provides nationwide Construction Management services. Our most valuable resources are our people, who carry forth our traditions, values, and long-standing reputation for performance. Holder’s reputation for delivering the highest level of service and collaborating with clients and design partners parallels our founding principle: “Do the kind of job that makes our clients want us to do their next project.”

About the Drake State Technical Community and Technical College

Established in 1961, Drake State Community and Technical College is a historically black community college located in Huntsville, home to the fast growing, highly technical aerospace and defense industry, including the NASA Marshall Flight Center, US Army Redstone Arsenal, and Cummings Research Parks. Drake State offers flexible, affordable university-transfer 2-year and technical degrees, certificates, adult and continuing education, and customized technical skills training for Huntsville/Madison County employers. Visit www.drakestate.edu for more information.

Oakwood University Signs Lease with Huntsville Hospital for Community Care in NW Huntsville

On February 24, 2021, at 1:00 p.m., Oakwood University and Huntsville Hospital hosted a Lease Signing event at the Oakwood University Community Health Action Center construction site at Sparkman Drive and Bronco Circle. Huntsville Hospital will establish an ambulatory care clinic within the Health Action Center. Oakwood students, employees, as well as community residents, will have access to quality care at the walk-in clinic. Establishing this facility will also allow for continuity of care from the walk-in clinic to in-patient care at Huntsville Hospital. “The Community Health Action Center launches Oakwood’s community-facing phase of our nationally-recognized Healthy Campus 2020 campus wellness initiative. Our event today underscores our Healthy Campus, Healthy Community commitment to our community. This vision began with a request from yours truly to the CEO of Huntsville Hospital to consider a partnership with Oakwood in order to transform the health outcomes of Northwest Huntsville. Oakwood University has been in the Huntsville community for 125 years and so has Huntsville Hospital. Together, we plan to bring health and healing to the morbidities affecting the citizens of NW Huntsville. The partnership today between Huntsville Hospital and Oakwood University is designed to improve the health status underserved citizens of the city of Huntsville," said Oakwood University President Dr. Leslie Pollard. We look forward to our Grand Opening during the first week of June 2021," he continued.

CONGRATS TO MEMBER DAVID PERSON

During Black History Month, 94.1 WHRP showcased the outstanding achievement of David Person, '85, a proud alumnus of Oakwood University. David is the owner of David Person Media, LLC., and his work has been featured on National Public Radio (NPR), as well as Black America Web. David was front-and-center last year representing the family of Little Richard, and coordinating with Mid-City Huntsville and other area entrepreneurs to complete the mural of the iconic singer. He was also instrumental in the movement of the confederate monument that was once had a home in front of the Madison County Courthouse in downtown Huntsville. David is always makes himself available, serving as mentor to a number of aspiring students who seek his advice. Not only is David willing to lend his expertise to students, but he also consults non-profit organizations in the areas of media content, media production and media relations.

“The Community Health Action Center launches Oakwood’s community-facing phase of our nationally-recognized Healthy Campus 2020 campus wellness initiative. Our event today underscores our Healthy Campus, Healthy Community commitment to our community. This vision began with a request from yours truly to the CEO of Huntsville Hospital to consider a partnership with Oakwood in order to transform the health outcomes of Northwest Huntsville. Oakwood University has been in the Huntsville community for 125 years and so has Huntsville Hospital. Together, we plan to bring health and healing to the morbidities affecting the citizens of NW Huntsville. The partnership today between Huntsville Hospital and Oakwood University is designed to improve the health status underserved citizens of the city of Huntsville,” said Oakwood University President Dr. Leslie Pollard. We look forward to our Grand Opening during the first week of June 2021,” he continued.