The state of Mississippi will use a federal grant to mobilize its community colleges to help strengthen the workforce.
Gov. Tate Reeves announced Wednesday that $8.5 million from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants program will go toward immediate training initiatives and building the state’s Workforce Pell program. Reeves added that the state will utilize its community colleges to help Mississippians gain skills needed to be part of the workforce.
“Mississippi is at its best — and moves fastest—when we work together toward a common goal,” Reeves said. “By bringing all 15 of our community colleges together, this investment will help create new training programs and funding opportunities for Mississippians to gain the skills they need to get good jobs while expanding how we meet the needs of our employers. This is how we connect more people to good-paying careers, support economic growth and keep Mississippi competitive.”
The community colleges will be incentivized to strengthen training pathways in advanced manufacturing, shipbuilding, construction and information infrastructure, and healthcare. Northwest Mississippi Community College will serve as the lead for this project, with AccelerateMS partnering to assist in coordinating implementation statewide.
“Northwest Mississippi Community College is honored to lead this statewide effort alongside Mississippi’s 14 other public community colleges,” Dr. Michael J. Heindl, president of Northwest Mississippi Community College, said.
“This work is bigger than any one institution or region. It is an opportunity to build a coordinated statewide approach that gives more Mississippians access to short-term, high-quality training leading directly to in-demand careers. We are proud to help turn this investment into programs and pathways that will serve students, employers and communities across Mississippi.”
The initiative is expected to serve more than 1,500 participants and support at least 19 short-term training programs seeking Workforce Pell eligibility. Programs will focus on employer-validated, in-demand career pathways and credentials that are portable, stackable and connected to opportunities for continued education, officials say.
The project also aims to strengthen statewide workforce data systems, improve participant and employment outcome tracking, and better connect community colleges with employers, workforce partners and state agencies. These improvements will help Mississippi measure outcomes and align training investments with high-skill, high-wage and in-demand occupations.
“Workforce Pell represents a significant opportunity for Mississippi to get this right from the beginning, to build the necessary data and technical supports while ensuring training is aligned with jobs available today,” Dr. Courtney Taylor, executive director of AccelerateMS, said.
“We are deeply grateful to the U.S. Department of Labor for making this investment in Mississippi and recognizing the importance of strong community college and workforce partnerships. These resources will help us build a coordinated statewide approach that delivers meaningful employment outcomes for Mississippians and a stronger talent pipeline for employers.”
The initiative includes partnerships with employers across Mississippi as well as the Mississippi Community College Board, Mississippi Department of Employment Security, local workforce development areas and other workforce partners.
