NMIDA

North Mississippi Industrial Development Association

WORKFORCE TRAINING & EDUCATION

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Workforce Training

Mississippi’s community colleges and universities offer a variety of workforce training programs designed to keep Mississippi’s workers competitive and up-to-date with modern technology and techniques. WIN Job Centers are located throughout the state and provide employment and training services for both job seekers and businesses.

WIN Job Centers

The Workforce Investment Network (WIN) in Mississippi operates a system of over 60 WIN Job Centers throughout the state. Each center is a one-stop resource for employment and training services for businesses and job seekers. The WIN Job Centers are funded through federal Workforce Investment Act (PL 105-220) funds and funds from other federal, state and local partners.

Mississippi Community Colleges

Mississippi’s community colleges offer workforce training for businesses and individuals with the goal of providing a loyal and productive workforce for participating companies. The State Board for Community and Junior Colleges and the state’s 15 community and junior colleges administer the Workforce Enhancement Training Fund (MS Code §71-5-353). This fund provides for a custom job training program designed and carried out in partnership with the company through the local community/junior colleges.

Mississippi’s community colleges also offer basic work skills, advanced work skills, pre-employment training, safety and health training, short-term training, retraining, upgrade training and rapid response training. Staff at the community colleges can assist with finding instructors, development of curricula, and more. All training includes both classroom lectures and a hands-on approach.

University of Mississippi (UM)

PROFESSIONAL AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (PWD)

Workforce and Professional Training
PWD offers workforce development programs to individuals and businesses. Workforce training for businesses may be offered on site or at the university’s campus.

Education and Training for Displaced Workers
In conjunction with the local Mississippi WIN Job Centers, eligible displaced workers may obtain undergraduate and graduate level education or certification in a variety of fields offered at one of UM’s five campuses. Applications must be submitted to WIN Job Centers for approval.

CENTER FOR MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE

Founded by the University of Mississippi and state of Mississippi in collaboration with Toyota Motor Corporation, the Haley Barbour Center for Manufacturing Excellence (CME) opened in 2010 and focuses on cultivating future leaders in modern manufacturing.

Education Program
The undergraduate education program provides a cross-disciplinary approach to modern manufacturing through the departments of engineering, accounting, and business.

Four degree programs are offered:

  • Bachelor of Engineering, emphasis in Manufacturing
  • Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, emphasis in Manufacturing
  • Bachelor of Business Administration, emphasis in Engineering Manufacturing
  • Bachelor of Accountancy, emphasis in Engineering Manufacturing.

Facilities
The CME building has 47,000 square feet of lab space, classrooms, offices, meeting rooms, and a factory floor. The 12,000-square foot factory floor has three main manufacturing lines for wood, plastic, and metal, a central assembly area, and a final finishing area.

CME Leadership
The CME is led by an Advisory Board composed of representatives from the manufacturing industry and the public sector.

Future Plans

  • Development of a graduate program
  • Workforce education programs
  • Industry-focused research projects

Mississippi State University (MSU)

OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

One of the nation’s leading research and land grant universities, MSU has a rich history and strong agricultural, engineering and research curriculums. The university’s engineering, research and technology development programs, and critical focus areas like cybersecurity and advanced computing, unmanned aircraft and aerospace, agriculture and natural resources, engineering and materials science, and automotive and mobility systems, all play an important role in economic development in the region and across the nation. For decades, the university has leveraged these innovative research activities to partner with economic development organizations and businesses to recruit new business and create high-wage jobs.

Career and Technology Centers

The state’s career and technology centers provide skills and vocational training for high school students and many offer night classes for adults.

Universities and Colleges

North Mississippi has 3 colleges, 6 community colleges, and 2 private colleges that offer undergraduate and graduate education, workforce training, lifelong learning, and other educational opportunities. Visit one of the links below to learn more.

Colleges

Mississippi State University

University of Mississippi

Mississippi University for Women

Rust College

Blue Mountain College

Community Colleges

East Central Community College

Holmes Community College

Northeast Community College

East Mississippi Community College

Itawamba Community College

Northwest Community College

North Mississippi Counties