Southcentral Mississippi Works (SMW), the workforce development division of CMPDD, has received $200,000 to train dislocated workers for future employment. The Department of Labor made funds available to the State of Mississippi through a national emergency grant. According to the Secretary of Labor “many states continue to experience a number of smaller, staggered dislocation events that occur over time. In addition, there continue to be significant numbers of long-term unemployed individuals who face barriers in returning to work, which has strained the capacity of the workforce investment system to provide the services needed to get individuals back to work.”
The funds will be used to increase the workforce investment system’s capacity to provide critical training services that lead to employment. The program will provide work based training, including On-the-Job Training (OJT), with an emphasis on OJT opportunities that also include a formal training component that leads to a credential. A portion of the funds will be used to offer training activities that lead to credentials in high-demand occupations through an Individual Training Account system that allows participants to attend approved training programs at local community colleges and other training providers.
Employers interested in hiring workers or individuals looking for training opportunities should contact their nearest WIN Job Center for additional information.