By: Jeff Devine
Dale County Schools will soon be home to the only diesel mechanic program in South Alabama, thanks to a major state grant aimed at expanding career and technical opportunities for students.
Superintendent Ben Baker confirmed that Dale County Schools, in partnership with Troy City Schools and Pike County Schools, has been awarded part of a $10.5 million grant from the Alabama Legislature’s Advancement and Technology Fund. The three districts formed a consortium to apply for the funding, securing more than 10% of the $100 million available statewide.
“Each system will offer different programs — we are offering diesel mechanic [training]— and all programs will be available to students in all three systems,” Baker explained. “Mrs. Lisa Welch serves as our Career Tech Director and Grant writer. She worked with the other three systems to create the application.”
Dale County Schools learned in early September that they would receive the funding. Roughly $500,000 of the grant is designated for the diesel mechanic program at Bridge Academy, while students will also have access to additional career tech programs offered through Troy City and Pike County Schools, the superintendent confirmed.
The diesel mechanic training program is expected to launch in January 2026 as a dual-enrollment course. Students will receive college credit at no cost, with instruction provided by Lurleen B. Wallace Community College.
“The equipment and class materials have been ordered and will be in before Christmas,” Baker said.
The initiative marks a significant investment in hands-on career training, providing local students with a unique opportunity to enter a high-demand technical field while still in high school. Bridge Academy, the career tech training campus of Dale County Schools, will add the new program to its growing list of dual enrollment college programs, including aviation maintenance, emergency medical services, mechatronics, child development, computer tech, criminal justice, and welding.
