BIRMINGHAM (May 26, 2026) – Lawson State is set to launch its 2026 Natural Gas Utility Worker Training Program, an eight-week workforce training course designed to prepare people for careers in the natural gas utility and infrastructure industry.
The next course is scheduled to run June 8 through July 31, 2026. To begin the application process, complete the college’s Natural Gas Utility Worker Training Program interest form.
The program provides hands-on training in trenching equipment, skid steer and excavator operation, pipe installation and repair, CDL Class A licensure preparation, OSHA 10 safety certification, and CPR certification. The curriculum is designed to equip participants with the technical skills and credentials needed for entry-level utility construction positions.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED, pass a drug screening, meet the physical demands of the program (lifting 50 pounds or more), and demonstrating academic readiness through an ACT score of 18 or higher within the past three years; or completion of the TABE (minimum level M in Math and Reading). Participants must also meet DOT requirements for CDL eligibility and obtain OSHA 10 and CPR certifications.
The program runs Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and may be held at either of Lawson’s Bessemer or Birmingham campuses. Program cost is $3,400 plus required work boots. Financial assistance is available for qualified applicants.
Enrollment is limited, and applicants meeting the eligibility requirements will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
About Lawson State Community College
With campuses located in Bessemer and Birmingham, Alabama, Lawson State Community College serves more than 3,500 students annually, in addition to members of the community, and other constituents.
Led by President Dr. Cynthia T. Anthony, Lawson State is comprised of two main divisions–an academic division and a career/technical division–and prepares students for employment and career advancement through comprehensive offerings in college transfer, workforce development, adult education, and dual enrollment programs. Learn more at www.lawsonstate.edu.
About ACCS
Alabama’s community and technical colleges, merged in 1963, focus on accessible education in arts, sciences, and trades to meet workforce needs.
The Alabama Community College System (ACCS) includes 24 colleges across 130+ locations, providing affordable, high-quality education and training. It supports over 170,000+ Alabamians through certificates, work credentials, and degree programs.
The ACCS also features the Alabama Technology Network, offering specialized training for businesses, and the ACCS Innovation Center, which provides rapid skills training through Skills for Success programs.
The ACCS is governed by the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees.
