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The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday gave its approval for the first step in a $45 million education investment that includes a career center focused on vocational training.
City leaders envision the Future Ready Career and Innovation Center as a regional hub where students could gain industry-recognized skills, hands-on experience and pathways to high-demand careers from HVAC and welding to nursing, cybersecurity and accounting.
In addition to the career center, the proposal includes $4.1 million to renovate basketball courts at Birmingham City Schools elementary and middle schools as well as $1 million to support the Junior Achievement Economic Education Center, providing immersive financial literacy and career readiness experiences for Birmingham students.
The proposed investment in the Junior Achievement Economic Education Center would provide Birmingham sixth- and eighth-grade students with immersive experiences in entrepreneurship, personal finance, business management and civic leadership through nationally recognized JA BizTown and JA Finance Park simulations.
School officials expect about 3,200 Birmingham City Schools students to participate annually.
City leaders will pay for the $45 million program using a portion of Jefferson County property taxes earmarked for school building projects.
Officials expect the reserve funds for such projects to reach more than $71 million for the 2026 fiscal year.
