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JACKSON, Miss.— Governor Tate Reeves and AccelerateMS, in collaboration with the Mississippi Apprenticeship Program (MAP), the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES), and the Central Mississippi Planning and Development District is excited to announce two transformative initiatives aimed at strengthening Mississippi’s workforce: the Mississippi Apprenticeship Accelerator (MAA) and Mississippi Reconnect. These programs will play a critical role in closing skills gaps, providing career pathways, and driving economic growth across the state.
“This is another win for Mississippi’s workforce development efforts,” Reeves said. “I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish when it comes to workforce development in our state — it’s led to thousands of Mississippians getting better jobs and helped us reach an all-time low unemployment rate. With the record-breaking private sector we’re witnessing, it’s important that we continue investing in Mississippians. That’s exactly what we’re doing.”
The Mississippi Apprenticeship Accelerator (MAA) program is designed to empower businesses by helping them create and expand Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs. With an initial $2 million investment, the MAA program will support approximately 600 new apprentices, offering them customized on-the-job training and classroom instruction in high-demand, high-wage occupations.
“Registered Apprenticeships are a proven way to help businesses grow their talent pipelines while offering Mississippians meaningful, high-paying career opportunities,” said Courtney Taylor, Executive Director of AccelerateMS. “The Mississippi Apprenticeship Accelerator will enhance our ability to provide critical workforce training across the state, ensuring our businesses remain competitive and our workforce continues to thrive.”
The MAA program is open to businesses of all sizes, with a focus on sectors critical to Mississippi’s economic future, such as advanced manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and information technology. Participating businesses will have the opportunity to create RA programs that meet their specific workforce needs, with MAP providing expert guidance from concept to implementation. Pre-apprenticeships will also be encouraged in collaboration with local education institutions to ensure a steady pipeline of talent.
“Through this initiative, we’re bridging the gap between the skills businesses need and the career pathways available to Mississippians,” said Bill Ashley, Executive Director of MDES. “This program is a win-win for our economy and our workforce.”
Applications for MAA funding will be available through our Local Workforce Development Area partners on a first-come, first-served basis until the funds are exhausted.
In addition to the MAA program, AccelerateMS is introducing the Mississippi Reconnect program, aimed at re-engaging unemployed and underemployed residents. This initiative provides access to short-term training programs, typically lasting up to eight weeks, designed to equip participants with the skills needed for priority occupations in sectors such as agribusiness, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, construction, forestry, and energy.
“Mississippi Reconnect is an opportunity for our state to invest in its people,” said Taylor. “By offering targeted and accelerated training programs in high-demand industries, we can help Mississippians secure stable, well-paying jobs while addressing the workforce needs of our growing economy.”
The first award under the Mississippi Reconnect program has been granted to the Central Mississippi Planning and Development District (CMPDD). The $4.4 million funding will be utilized to provide training for over 900 individuals, addressing the region’s critical workforce development needs, especially those in construction and advanced manufacturing. This initiative aims to enhance skills and employability, ultimately driving economic growth and supporting the state’s demand-driven workforce development strategy.
CMPDD will collaborate with Build Mississippi, Hinds Community College, Holmes Community College, and employers to ensure the training programs align with industry requirements and create pathways to sustainable employment opportunities for participants.
Local workforce development areas, community colleges, and higher education institutions will play a pivotal role in delivering these short-term training programs, providing critical education and career advancement opportunities for Mississippi residents.
Both the Mississippi Apprenticeship Accelerator and Mississippi Reconnect initiatives underscore AccelerateMS’s commitment to preparing the state’s workforce for the future, ensuring that both businesses and workers can thrive in today’s competitive economy.
About AccelerateMS
AccelerateMS is Mississippi’s leading workforce development office, committed to ensuring that the state’s workforce aligns with the needs of businesses and industry. Through strategic initiatives and partnerships, AccelerateMS helps Mississippians develop the skills they need to succeed in a rapidly changing economy.
About Mississippi Apprenticeship Program
The Mississippi Apprenticeship Program (MAP) helps companies, regardless of size, develop a Registered Apprenticeship (RA) program from the initial concept phase to registration and subsequent implementation within the company. Recognizing that RA is business driven, MAP works closely with companies to identify the occupations and skillsets needed on their job site and build out a RA program designed to meet their needs.
About Mississippi Department of Employment Security
The goal of the Mississippi Department of Employment Security is to help Mississippians get jobs. Through our network of WIN Job Centers, MDES matches qualified, prospective employees with employers. Also at the Job Centers, Mississippians can obtain job training to sharpen their work skills and make themselves more competitive in the job market. In addition, MDES administers the unemployment benefits program that provides payments to Mississippians who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. This temporary compensation enables unemployed individuals to concentrate on securing new jobs. Through these programs, MDES works to expand employment, improve workforce skills, and enhance productivity in our state.
