J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College prepares students for rapid entry into the workforce with twoyear associate degrees in the arts or sciences, and provides seamless transfer to university partners for those looking to continue their baccalaureate education. Known for a curriculum that closely aligns with the fulfillment of projected job openings, Drake State prepares students to enter in-demand careers and high-paying jobs in manufacturing and areas of critical need, such as healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and automotive technology (ASE Master Certified).
Accelerated "boot camps"-some as short as eight hoursoffer help toward certification in Artistic Design Welding, Machine Tool, and Oil Change Safety Inspection, and toptier technical and industrial training is available through both community partnerships and state-of-the-art facilities, like a renewable energy lab. Students can also obtain two work-readiness certifications, the ACT National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) and the Alabama Certified Worker Certificate (ACWC). These valuable certifications document the skills and aptitudes that give job seekers competitive advantages.
Drake State was recently selected by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center to collaborate in the Moon-to-Mars Planetary Autonomous Construction Technology program. Students and faculty participate in this on-campus initiative that tests the 3-D printing technology used to develop construction techniques suitable for building landing pads, roads, and other large structures on Earth and in space. It also develops curriculum for training a new workforce of technicians specialized in 3-D construction techniques.
