WASHINGTON — The United States Department of Labor has announced that Mississippi will receive a $200,000 Apprenticeship USA State Accelerator Grant to expand and expedite apprenticeship programs in Mississippi.
The Mississippi Community College Board (MCCB) and Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) are to use these funds to help integrate apprenticeships into education and workforce systems, conduct outreach, work with employers to start new apprenticeship programs, and promote greater inclusion and diversity.
“The Accelerator Grant is the result of a successful partnership between MCCB and MDES. These types of ventures are making a positive difference in Mississippi,” said Dr. Andrea Mayfield, Executive Director of the Mississippi Community College Board. “The funds we receive will play an important part in having serious discussions about apprenticeships. Implementing these programs throughout Mississippi will require active engagement and planning between industry, educational, and industry partners. Apprentice opportunities strengthen workforce education and training by providing on-site industry work experience designed to further develop workforce skills which will allow our business and industry to compete in the global market.”
These investments are part of a historic bipartisan Congressional effort to appropriate funds specifically for apprenticeship for the first time.
“This apprenticeship grant provides the opportunity for MDES and MCCB to come together and transform workforce development in Mississippi,” said Mark Henry, Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. “Apprenticeships are a proven path to high quality, good paying jobs. This grant will help more employers get skilled employees and empower more Mississippians to get good-paying jobs.”
