HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Leadership Greater Huntsville is hosting a free five day program to teach Huntsville students more about the city.
Spark is for anyone interested in the behind the scenes perspective of North Alabama.
Only 42 students can apply and applications close June 28. Students must have a minimum of 30 credit hours.
"It's going to be so great to show them, they're going to learn thing about our community - even if they're from Huntsville - they're going to learn things about Huntsville and the North Alabama area that they've never learned before. They're going to go behind scenes and view things that they've never gotten to see before," Spark program director Katelyn Sides-Baker said.
The one-week program runs from August 9 to 13. Students must complete a form and submit a resume, letter of recommendation and a headshot.
To learn more about the Spark program and Leadership Greater Huntsville, visit their website.
The pandemic has increased enrollment at some schools, including community colleges.
Director of Innovation and Program Success at Drake State, Alice Raymond, says this is because people were laid off during the pandemic and are now getting certified for high-demand jobs.
"The lockdown happened and their spouses, partners, and parents lost their jobs," said Raymond.
The school has seen a high demand for these three programs: health sciences, computer information sciences, and salon and spa management.
There is a high demand for certified assistant nursing and certified medication assistant programs after a shortage of staff in Alabama hospitals, which pushed the state to allow these licenses.
Self-care has also been a major topic during the pandemic, which is the reason why more people are getting into the industry. The salon and spa management program has doubled in size because of this.
"You see it all over social media about how hair care and personal care those kinds of things kind of when you are in with the pandemic with the lockdowns easing there is an increasing demand," said Raymond.
Like cosmetology, computer science programs have also seen an increase because people can work from home.
"This is the kind of job you can do remotely, you can do it at any location so that also makes it a very convenient option," said Raymond.
