Ed Castile, director of Alabama Industrial Development Training for 33 years, is retiring today. His deputy director, Kevin Taylor, will become director of the workforce recruitment group.
“When Commerce talks to potential industries about what the state has to offer, AIDT is always at the top of the list, and that’s because of the work of Ed and his team,” said Ellen McNair, secretary of the Department of Commerce. “His work has helped add billions of dollars to the state’s economy, improved communities and given hundreds of thousands of Alabamians the skills needed to be successful in quality careers.”
Castile joined AIDT in 1993 after leading Tennessee’s job-training program.
Created by an act of the Alabama Legislature in 1971, AIDT was originally under the Alabama Community College System. In 2012, it became part of Commerce.
In addition to skilled trades employees, AIDT recruits and trains for back office and finance positions and IT careers. It will work with Eli Lilly to staff its planned $6 billion pharmaceutical facility in Huntsville.
Taylor has been with AIDT for more than 30 years.
“I am both honored and humbled by the opportunity to serve as AIDT’s next director,” Taylor said. “Ed Castile has built an incredible legacy over the past 33 years, and I am grateful for his mentorship, leadership and friendship.”
