Academy of Craft Training - Central Alabama

09/17/2026

MEET THE INSTRUCTOR | PAT WATTS 🔥

Meet Pat Watts, our Industrial Metal Fabrication Instructor at ACT–Central Alabama.

Pat started welding in the 9th grade and has now spent more than 10 years in the construction and welding industry. His career has taken him to power plants, water treatment plants, paper mills, new construction projects and even bridge construction. He worked as a combination welder before moving into leadership roles as a foreman and supervisor.

For Pat, teaching at the Academy is personal.

He remembers being a student sitting in the same kind of seat his students are sitting in today, trying to figure out what he wanted to do with his future. Now he has the opportunity to take what the skilled trades gave him and pass it on to the next generation.

And he wants his students to learn more than how to weld or fit pipe.

“Your skills might get your foot in the door, but your character and work ethic are what make people want you back.”

Pat teaches his students that every time they step onto a jobsite, they're building something besides the project — they're building their name and reputation. Show up on time. Work hard. Stay safe. Help your crew. Produce quality work. Become the person a former foreman or superintendent remembers as someone they'd hire again.

His advice to students at the Academy?

Take advantage of the opportunity in front of you. Be teachable. Ask questions. Don't be afraid to mess something up — that's part of learning. And when it's time to handle business, handle business.

One of Pat's favorite parts of teaching is seeing the moment when things begin to click — a student who started with little or no experience suddenly realizes:

“Hold on, I can actually do this.”

Outside of the Academy, Pat describes himself as a country boy from Selma, Alabama. He enjoys horses and cows, riding four-wheelers down dirt roads and getting some peace and quiet outdoors.

And his message to his students brings it all together:

“I genuinely want to see you succeed. I can open your eyes to the opportunities this trade has to offer, but I can't want it more than you do. Take what I give you, add your own hard work to it, and see how far it can take you.”

We’re proud to have Pat investing his industry experience in the students of ACT–Central Alabama and helping them discover where a career in the skilled trades can take them.

09/16/2026

MEET THE INSTRUCTOR | KRIS THOMPSON 🏗️

Kris Thompson, our Commercial Construction Instructor at ACT–Central Alabama.

Kris brings approximately 15 years of construction experience to the Academy. His career has included working for a general contractor in commercial construction as well as extensive experience at Maxwell Air Force Base, where he started in the shop as a trades technician, moved into engineering and eventually became a project manager/supervisor.

His experience crosses multiple areas of the industry, including HVAC, electrical and carpentry, along with roofing, drywall and finishing. That broad background is something he now brings directly into the classroom and lab for his Commercial Construction students.

Kris came to the Academy for the opportunity to help develop the next generation of qualified craft professionals — but he wants his students to gain more than technical skills.

For Kris, developing a passion for the industry matters.

“Construction is a rewarding industry, and being passionate about the industry will bring more success. I want them to look at this opportunity as a privilege rather than an 8-to-5 grind.”

His advice to students is simple:

“Desire to be involved. Standing in the back gets you nowhere.”

Whether they're in the classroom or building in the lab, Kris wants his students engaged, learning and taking advantage of the opportunity in front of them.

And outside of the Academy, family is an important part of Kris's life.

His message to his students:

“A successful tomorrow begins with a productive today!”

We’re proud to have Kris sharing his experience and passion for the construction industry with the students of ACT–Central Alabama.

09/15/2026

MEET THE INSTRUCTOR | CHARLIE DUPREE ⚡

Charlie Dupree, our Commercial Electrical Instructor at ACT–Central Alabama.

Charlie brings 14 years of commercial electrical experience to the Academy. For the past eight years, he has worked as a foreman, leading commercial electrical projects totaling more than $40 million.

Charlie loves his trade, takes pride in his work and came to the Academy with a clear purpose — to pass that knowledge and experience on to the next generation.

But for Charlie, preparing students for the jobsite is about much more than learning electrical skills.

“Skills can be taught. Your attitude, work ethic and dependability are what make people want to keep you on the job.”

That's why his advice to students is straightforward:

Show up. Be teachable. Ask questions. Take advantage of every opportunity available.

One of Charlie's favorite parts of being an instructor is watching his students' confidence grow as they learn the trade and begin to see what they're capable of doing.

Outside of the Academy and the electrical trade, Charlie loves to travel — giving him an opportunity to get out, see new places and enjoy life away from the jobsite.

His message to students brings his philosophy together:

“You don’t have to know everything when you start. Skill will come with practice, but your character and work ethic are what build your reputation.”

We’re proud to have Charlie bringing his industry experience, expectations and passion for the electrical trade to the students of ACT–Central Alabama.

09/14/2026

MEET THE INSTRUCTOR | DWAYNE MANN 🔧

Dwayne Mann, our HVACR & Mechanical Systems Instructor at ACT–Central Alabama.

Dwayne brings 15 years of industry experience to the Academy, with a background ranging from residential service work to commercial and industrial installation, service and commissioning.

For Dwayne, becoming an instructor was an opportunity to give back — passing along knowledge and lessons that he and others often had to learn the hard way and helping prepare the next generation of skilled craft professionals.

His advice to students reflects what he expects from them every day:

Be on time. Be honest. Be teachable and coachable. Ask questions. Try the task. Make mistakes, learn from them and come back better the next time.

As Dwayne puts it:

“I can teach you a trade, but I can’t teach work ethic or honesty.”

One of his favorite parts of teaching is watching students come out of their shell, gain confidence and push themselves to become better.

And something you might not know about Mr. Mann — before the classroom, mechanical rooms and jobsites, he was a nationally touring drummer and remains heavily involved in the music scene today. 🥁

His message to his students:

“Your future is built by what you do today — so build something you’re proud of.”

We’re proud to have Dwayne investing his experience in the students of ACT–Central Alabama and preparing them for what comes next.

09/11/2026

The ribbon has been cut. Now the real work begins.

Wednesday was a milestone for the Academy of Craft Training as we officially celebrated the Grand Opening of ACT-Central Alabama — our fourth campus in Alabama.

We were joined by leaders from education, industry and communities across Central Alabama, all gathered around a shared mission: creating real career opportunities for students through the skilled trades.

But the most important people in these photographs aren't the people cutting the ribbon.

They're the students standing around it.

They are why this campus exists.

Inside these walls, students from across Central Alabama are learning the skills, safety, work ethic and expectations of the commercial construction industry. They're earning industry-recognized credentials, training alongside experienced craft professionals and preparing for internships that can lead directly to careers.

This campus represents what can happen when education and industry work together with purpose.

We are grateful to the Alabama State Department of Education, Associated Builders & Contractors of Alabama, our participating school systems, industry partners and everyone who helped turn the vision for ACT-Central Alabama into a reality.

Wednesday was a big day.

But it won't be our biggest.

That comes May 6 on Signing Day, when these students stand in this same building, receive a hard hat from an industry partner and take the next step toward their careers.

The ribbon cutting celebrated what we've built.
Now it's time to build what's next.

09/09/2026

We are proud to have the Official Marbury High School as part of our inaugural class at the Academy of Craft Training – Central Alabama.

These students are showing up, working hard and taking advantage of the opportunity to learn from industry professionals while still in high school.

Thank you to Marbury High School and Autauga County Schools for the partnership and for trusting us with your students. We look forward to watching what these young men and women accomplish this year — and where these skills take them next.

This is exactly what education + industry partnership is all about.

ACT Today. Build Tomorrow.

09/09/2026

This is what partnership looks like.

We were proud to have our partners from Autauga County Schools with us today as we celebrated the Grand Opening of the Academy of Craft Training – Central Alabama.

Students from Prattville High School, Official Marbury High School, Billingsley School are part of our inaugural class, gaining hands-on training, earning industry-recognized credentials and preparing for opportunities with the commercial construction industry.

The Academy works because education and industry work together to create opportunities for students. We appreciate Autauga County Schools for believing in this mission and for investing in career pathways for their students.

And we’re just getting started.

Thank you Autauga County Schools for being an important part of the Academy of Craft Training – Central Alabama.

ACT Today. Build Tomorrow.

09/07/2026

🇺🇸 🦺This is what building the next generation looks like. 🦺🇺🇸

This Labor Day, we honor the skilled craft professionals who build the places where we live, work, learn and grow—and those willing to pass their knowledge and experience on to the next generation.

At ACT-Central Alabama, that connection between industry and education is at the heart of what we do.

Our students are learning the crafts, developing safe work habits, earning industry credentials and preparing for internships where they will work alongside the professionals building Central Alabama today.

And that next generation matters. ABC National estimates the construction industry needs to attract 349,000 new workers in 2026 to meet workforce demand.

So this Labor Day, we recognize the men and women of the skilled trades who built before us, those doing the work today, and the industry partners investing their time and knowledge in those who will build tomorrow.

Honoring the work. Building the next generation.

ACT Today. Build Tomorrow.


ABC of Alabama

09/06/2026

🦺What’s happening at ACT is bigger than any one campus. 🦺

A recent visit to our fellow Academy of Craft Training campus in Mobile provided another opportunity to showcase how ACT is preparing Alabama high school students for careers in the skilled trades.

Today, ACT has four campuses across Alabama—including our new ACT-Central Alabama campus—connecting education with the real workforce needs of the construction industry.

That's the model we're building on every day here in Central Alabama: industry-driven training, hands-on experience, recognized credentials and a pathway from the classroom to the jobsite.

When education and industry work together to prepare the next generation, Alabama wins.

ACT Today. Build Tomorrow.

08/24/2026

A new chapter for ACT — and for Central Alabama. 🦺

The Academy of Craft Training is beginning its 11th year across Alabama, and for the first time, ACT-Central Alabama is part of that story.

Our inaugural students are now in the classroom and in the lab, beginning their training in Commercial Construction, Commercial Electrical, HVACR & Mechanical Systems, and Industrial Metal Fabrication.

The numbers across ACT show where this training can lead: 43,000+ student work hours, 727 internships and 365 job offers last year.

We’re proud to bring that same opportunity to students across Central Alabama and help build the next generation of Alabama’s skilled workforce.

ACT Today. Build Tomorrow.

Academy of Craft Training opens new school year across four Alabama campuses

The Academy of Craft Training opened its 2026-27 school year across four Alabama campuses, marking its 11th year preparing high school students for careers in construction. With a new Central Alabama campus, four added programs and enrollment expected to approach or top 1,000 students, ACT pointed to rising internships, job offers and direct-to-work placements as signs of growing momentum.