By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – Ready to Work, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to workforce development in Alabama, hosted a Signing Day for graduating seniors launching into full-time jobs, apprenticeships, certifications or associate degree programs.

The High School Career Signing Day was held on Wednesday, May 7 at the Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena, beginning at 10 a.m. The event showcased workforce-bound students in a similar manner to traditional college signing days for athletes.

Students from schools including Bessemer City, Helena, Center Point, Minor and more publicly committed to their next steps joined by educators, family members and employer partners.

Ready to Work is a creation of The Ōnin Group, a staffing and recruiting agency based in Birmingham. Hugh Thomas, a managing partner with The Ōnin Group, kicked off the event.

“This is a wonderful day for all of us, it’s kind of like Christmas for me,” Thomas said. “I love being around leaders and winners… Leaders are willing to take steps that others don’t. And by you guys engaging in this program, you did something that other people don’t.”

Thomas then gave the history of Ready to Work, which started at Central High School in Tuscaloosa. Dr. Clarence Sutton, who is the current superintendent of Huntsville City Schools, was at the time the principal at Central. Sutton saw graduating seniors from Central not go to college and suffer in society. The reality challenged Sutton to create avenues for his students to enter the workforce after high school.

Since then, Ready to Work has grown across the state, according to Thomas.

“It’s just been a fantastic ride,” Thomas said. “Since then, hundreds of kids’ lives have been impacted… I’ve seen so many careers develop at rocket speed.”

Donte’ Hardy, the workforce development manager with Ready to Work, explained why it is important to celebrate workforce-bound students with the same recognition as college-bound students.

“Why not?” Hardy said. “I feel like there’s a stigma that if you don’t go to college, you’re not going to be successful. Students can be just as successful and become entrepreneurs by not going to college. We just want to make sure that our kids, our Ready to Work students, understand that in whatever path you take, you can still be successful.”

Hardy then took the stage to recognize Ready to Work’s community and employer partners. The following entities are community partners with Ready to Work:

• Birmingham Business Alliance
• Central Six Alabama Works!
• City of Birmingham
• Jefferson State Community College
• Shelby County Schools
• The Shelby County Chamber
• AIDT
• Alabama Community College System
• Birmingham Career Center
• Lawson State Community College
• Jefferson County Schools

The following entities are employer partners with Ready to Work:

• Vulcan Painters
• AmFirst
• Altec
• Cisco
• Storyteller Overland
• UAB Medicine
• Milo’s Tea Company
• CMC
• The Ōnin Group
• Birmingham Fastener
• Cooper Green Mercy Health
• Ventura Foods
• Women in Manufacturing
• Wood Fruitticher
• Brasfield & Gorrie
• TriGreen Equipment
• Royal Switchgear Manufacturing
• Motion Industries
• Hibbett Sports
• Spire
• Truckworx
• Hubbell Power Systems
• McPherson Oil
• Alabama Power
• Alabama Plate Cutting Company
• Cadence Bank
• Mercedes-Benz

Hardy then recognized Nathan Reamey of Vulcan Painters as Ready to Work’s Employer of the Year.

“This recognition is not just a reflection of our company values, but it’s a celebration of something much bigger,” Reamey said. “It’s about the people, purpose and potential that’s in this room. When I first learned about the Ready to Work program, I was immediately inspired by its mission.”

Ready to Work is also supported by the following education partners:

• Center Point High School
• Hewitt-Trussville High School
• Minor High School
• Wenonah High School
• Fairfield High Preparatory School
• Build Up Community School
• Helena High School
• Tarrant High School
• Vincent Middle High School
• Magic City Acceptance Academy
• Bessemer City High School
• Calera High School

Reba Caffee, a work-based learning coordinator at Bessemer City High School, was then recognized as Ready to Work’s Teacher of the Year.

“This is my second year as a Ready to Work instructor,” Caffee said. “It’s been an incredibly rewarding experience… Ready to Work is more than just a program, it’s a launching pad for our students’ futures.”

Derrius McCloud, a student at Build Up Community School was next recognized as Ready to Work’s Student of the Year. In his remarks, McCloud talked about the impact the Ready to Work program has had on his life.

“I joined the Ready to Work program because I wanted better opportunities and greater income potential,” McCloud said. “I knew I didn’t want to just get by, I wanted to get ahead. Ready to Work felt like a way to open doors.”

Cedric D. Sparks, the chief of staff within the mayor’s office for the city of Birmingham, was the event’s keynote speaker. Sparks discussed a range of topics in his speech, including encouraging students in the program to continue on the successful paths they are on.

“Y’all have done a great job today, but know that there are more great jobs waiting on you,” Sparks said. “My job today is to celebrate you, but it’s to remind you that ‘almost’ ain’t good enough. Now, the next phase of your life begins.”

Sparks emphasized that students needed to live their lives with 100 percent effort and dedication, saying that 99.5 percent won’t do.

“There are ills in our community that need curing,” Sparks said. “There are holes in our community that need filling. There are people in our community that need helping… You’re the difference (in our communities) for those ills being cured, holes being filled and people being helped.”

After Sparks’s motivational remarks, students were recognized for completing the Ready to Work program and entering the workforce. Students donned hats with their new company’s logos and shined in front of dozens of cameras as they celebrated their achievements.

“Wherever your journey takes you next, remember, you are prepared, you are capable and you are supported,” said Jessica Derrick, the talent acquisition manager at Ready to Work. “Congratulations to the Ready to Work class of 2025. We are so proud of you.”

For more information on Ready to Work, visit Readytowork.org.