Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative to train the future workforce for careers in the defense sector.
Officials with the community college, along with industry leaders and U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, gathered Tuesday at the school’s Harrison County campus to celebrate the beginning of the Defense Industry Training Accelerated Courses program.
This initiative will serve as the unified brand for a variety of accelerated, skills-based training programs offered through MGCCC’s advanced facilities and industry-aligned curricula. Programs are delivered through assets such as:
- The AiM UP Lab at the Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Center in Gulfport
- The Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense on the Harrison County Campus
- MGCCC’s leadership in statewide artificial intelligence and cybersecurity education
“Our defense-training programs are designed to meet the growing demand for fast, effective workforce training that leads to well-paying careers,” MGCCC President Dr. Mary S. Graham said. “Whether students are pursuing traditional skilled trades or emerging technologies, these programs offer hands-on learning and real-world experience to help them succeed from day one.”
Some highlights of the Defense Industry Training Accelerated Courses, or DITAC, program include accelerated learning paths that reduce time to industry certification or employment and high-paying career opportunities in shipbuilding, AI, cybersecurity, unmanned systems, and more. Hands-on training will also be provided with each course.
“The launch of this training consortium’s new brand marks a pivotal step forward in strengthening our region’s workforce by preparing individuals for meaningful careers in shipbuilding and across the broader defense industrial base,” Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Blanchett said. “This initiative reflects a shared vision—one where academic and industry partners come together to meet critical workforce needs of our country and reinforce our national security.”
Students participating in BITAC courses will have 56 career and technical education credit program options at their disposal. These pupils will have opportunities to receive on-site training in various fields through apprenticeships and internships.
Specialized programs in welding, advanced manufacturing, mechanical systems, cybersecurity, automation, and unmanned maritime systems will be offered. Government-backed partnerships with Accelerate MS will serve to enhance workforce training and support strategies to bolster skills for the future of Mississippi’s economy.
Major companies like Dell Technologies, Intel, OpenAI, NVIDIA, and Amazon Web Services will offer support for BIPAC’s AI programs.
“Mississippians are stepping up to rebuild our national defense,” Wicker said. “The Defense Industry Training Accelerated Courses at MGCCC will improve the readiness of the United States military. DITAC will equip talented, industrious Mississippians with the skills they need to improve the American military’s competitive edge.”
