More than 8,000 students from seven counties are expected to come through the Oxford Civic Center by the time the East Alabama Worlds of Work ends its three-day run on Thursday, March 12, 2026. The event has become an important part of the region’s workforce development strategy, and one in which the city of Oxford has long supported.
Gadsden State Community College Dean of Students Andy Green told a gathering of more than 30 event sponsors on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, the number of students has grown exponentially since the first Worlds of Work in 2015 drew 1,500 students.
“This year, we have more than 100 companies and organizations participating, all who have invested their time and energy to give these students the opportunity for hands-on experience with the 134 career pathways on display,” Green said. “These are providing these students a real since of what these careers look like in the real world.”
Mayor Alton Craft welcomed the guests while inserting the importance of having a vital workforce development program.
“World of Works means so much to our area,” Craft said. “It is the thing that has driven economic development in our area. You can have everything else, but if you don’t have the workforce, the businesses aren’t coming. When we go to New York about bond issues, our workforce development is what causes our bond ratings to continue to rise.”
Gadsden State President Alan Smith was the morning’s keynote speaker, noting the importance of career tech education in his own life.
“I began my journey in the sixth grade, back in the early 80s, as a career tech person,” Smith said. “I was in the industrial arts program, and I loved it. I wanted to know how to build things and work on things. As I entered my high school years, I gravitated towards technical opportunities and career technical student organizations. I would not be standing before you here today without that opportunity to display not only leadership, but also the technical skills I learned. I am a product of career technical education.”