Legislation aimed at using Mississippi’s community colleges to address a growing workforce shortage has cleared one hurdle in the state capitol.
Senate Bill 2522, which establishes the Upskill Mississippi Grant Program, awaits a floor vote after passing the Senate Universities and Colleges Committee. The legislation was drafted by the committee’s chair, Oxford Republican Sen. Nicole Akins Boyd, and would allow Mississippians to learn a new trade or build upon existing labor expertise through a free, “workforce-aligned” program at a local community college.
A report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that Mississippi had 71,000 job openings last November and the state’s job openings rate was 1.3% higher than the national average. To fill these gaps, the bill seeks to expand career and technical education and to align what is taught in community colleges with the training in “high-value” career pathways, particularly in rural regions of Mississippi.
Accelerate Mississippi, the state’s workforce development arm, would be required to provide a list of eligible programs based on priority sectors and occupations on an annual basis. The list would be used to determine who would be eligible for free tuition.
“The Legislature finds that establishing attainable workforce goals reflects Mississippi’s commitment to creating a source of skilled workers to address workforce shortages and build a sustainable economic future, which begins with investing in education programs that meet the needs of both employers and communities. Mississippi’s workforce development goals center around equipping its citizens with the skills necessary to meet the demands of high-growth, high-demand industries,” a snippet of the bill reads.
Eligible participants in the program would have to meet specific criteria, including being at least 24 years old, having lived in Mississippi for at least two years prior to applying, being a U.S. citizen, possessing a high school diploma or GED, meeting certain financial aid requirements, and maintaining a certain academic rate of success before being accepted.
Along with free tuition, those accepted into the program would be able to access up to $500 annually for books and other education-related materials while also having access to support services like academic advising, career planning, and practical work experiences.
Phase one of the program, if the legislation is enacted as is, would entail a soft launch in the 2027 spring semester before being fully implemented during the 2028-29 school year. A similar bill to SB 2522 exists in the House of Representatives. HB 562, which offers tuition-free community college for those looking to earn degrees in career and technical fields, passed in the House Workforce Development Committee but awaits approval from the House Appropriations A Committee.
