Meeting the Need for a Skilled Workforce
Adult education programs meet a critical need for mid-skilled workers in Mississippi. These are jobs that require education beyond high school but not a four-year degree and make up the largest part of America’s labor market.
Mississippi’s 15 community colleges offer adult education programs that are increasing the number of qualified, skilled, and workforce ready individuals, by ensuring both current and potential employees have practical and soft skills to be successful in the workplace.
In our state, there are more than 361,000 over the age of 18 without a high school diploma. Adult education through the Skill UP Mississippi initiative offers a supportive path for Mississippians to complete a High School Equivalency Diploma (HSE) and enroll in programs such as Smart Start where they learn soft skills such as leadership, teamwork, collaboration, and problem-solving that prepare them to work in a range of careers.
SKILL UP MISSISSIPPI is closing the middle-skills gap in our state.
In 2019,
- 1,305 Mississippians completed an HSE
- 2,362 Mississippians earned a Smart Start Credential
- 2,962 Mississippians completed a National Career Readiness Certificate
Students also have the opportunity to enroll in MIBEST or participate in the Mississippi Apprenticeship Program.
MIBEST is a workforce and economic development initiative that moves low-skilled, non-credentialed Mississippians from the economic sidelines into careers earning family-sustaining wages.
The Mississippi Apprenticeship Program (MAP) helps companies, regardless of size, develop an apprenticeship program from the initial concept phase to registration and subsequent implementation within the company. Recognizing that apprenticeship is business-driven, MAP works closely with companies to identify the occupations and skillsets needed on their job site and build out a program designed to meet their needs.
Getting Mississippi to Work
Skill UP Mississippi programs are strengthening the state’s workforce and talent pipeline. Our programs can help current employees gain new skills to advance in their careers, and increase the talent pool for new workers. Learn more about how we can help your business or organization reach its workforce development goals by emailing us at skillup@mccb.edu or calling (601) 432-6518
