The Innovation Centre is teaming up with Alabama Industrial Development Training to open once-closed doors for those eager for a chance to improve their lives.

Workers interested in an opportunity to move up or just improve their resumes can take advantage of the Centre’s free leadership skills training classes. The two-day classes are intended to teach principles and concepts of leadership and motivational tactics.

“We’re hoping they’re getting tips and ideas on effective communication with employees,” said Brenda Tuck of Alford and Associates LLC. “A lot of them have come up through the ranks of their companies. They haven’t had any formal training, so this really brings some good classroom training that is very applicable to what they do every day.”

The same classes are currently offered in Montgomery by AIDT. But the Centre saw an opportunity to offer them in Selma and jumped on it.

“When we found out about AIDT’s newest training class for existing industries, we wanted to be involved in that,” said Tuck. “We focus on training and anything we can do for small business. We’re doing anything we can do to help businesses create new job.

Local companies are taking advantage of the Centre’s program.

Global Security Glazing sent employees Jacob Glann and Robert Langston to the classes.

“They want us to increase our managing skills and give us the tools to do our jobs,” said Langston.

Though the class was only in its first day on Friday, Glann quickly saw the class as an opportunity.

“We want to learn how to communicate better with employees, be better leaders,” said Glann. “Learn how to motivate employees and get a better product out into the field.”

Joe Gibson, an employee at Pallet One, feels that the classes give him a better perspective of the role played by company employees.

“Learn how to communicate with employees and teamwork — from the bottom shipment person all the way up to the leader,” he said. “It’s been great. It’s a relaxed atmosphere and we’re getting a lot accomplished.”

Classes are limited to 20 participants. Though most participants are currently employed, job status is not a determining factor for enrollment.

“Anyone can come to these classes,” said Tuck. “They may be unemployed, and they may have worked with a manager or supervisor or be capable of doing so and just want to get some formal training to put on their resume.”