A few years ago, area ophthalmologists partnered with Wallace Community College to see if they could find a way out of a difficult problem.

The problem was finding enough qualified assistants. Local ophthalmologists were spending a lot of time and money training assistants, only to eventually lose most of them.

“They were spending a lot of time training these guys only to have them turn around and leave,” said Stephanie Kimel, education coordinator for EyeCenter South.

Dr. Marnix Heersink, an EyeCenter South ophthalmologist, made the case for an ophthalmic assistant program to Wallace work force development officials, who approved a training program. The college started a twice-a-year, 12-week training course aimed at turning out assistants who could handle the technical aspects of the job.

After about two years in operation, the program is turning out about 10 assistants per semester. Kimel said ophthalmologists benefit  from the program by being able to hire assistants who are fully trained on their first day of work. Kimel said many of the program graduates are former stay-at-home moms re-entering the work force now that their children are grown. Kimel said graduates of the program typically earn between $8.50 and $14 per hour in the field.

The Training for Existing Business and Industry Network recognized the program for being an outstanding example of how community colleges can meet the needs of local business.

According to Bradley Byrne, chancellor of the Alabama College System, the state’s two year colleges have made a large investment in creating programs that serve the needs of existing businesses in local communities.

Vincent Vincent, coordinator of non-credit training for Wallace, summed it up.

“Wallace is committed to meeting identified work force employment needs in the region,” he said.

Wallace has done training programs for other local businesses, including a certified nursing assistants’ program and a medical coding and billing program. According to Vincent, the college will soon begin a training program for electrical linemen, workers who install and repair cables or wires used in electrical power systems. Vincent said Wallace and two other Alabama community colleges will pool resources to provide the program.