Why CTE Matters: Preparing Mississippi’s Talent for the Future

02/10/2025

February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, a time to highlight the impact of CTE programs and celebrate the students, educators, and industry partners driving workforce success in Mississippi. At AccelerateMS, we recognize that CTE plays a crucial role in preparing students for high-demand careers, strengthening our workforce, and fueling economic growth across the state. 

CTE is more than just exposure—it’s a gateway to opportunity. From healthcare to advanced manufacturing, information technology to construction trades, CTE equips students with the skills and certifications needed to thrive in today’s job market. Mississippi’s CTE programs provide hands-on learning experiences, industry-recognized credentials, and real-world connections that set students up for lifelong success. 

The numbers speak for themselves: Students who participate in CTE are more likely to graduate from high school, continue their education, and secure high-wage, high-demand careers. By engaging in CTE coursework, students don’t just learn—they build confidence, develop leadership skills, and gain a competitive edge in the workforce. 

Through collaboration with K-12 schools and districts, community colleges, universities, and industry leaders, we are working to align education and training with the needs of Mississippi’s economy.  

Our mission is to engineer and continuously improve a state-wide, fully integrated talent development system where Mississippians excel in a dynamic, globally connected economy through effective awareness-building, education, training, and job placement services that employers value.  

We’re proud to partner with education and industry to: 

• Expand Career Pathways – We’re working to strengthen career pathways in key industries by increasing access to work-based learning opportunities, apprenticeships, and industry-recognized credentials that lead to high-wage jobs. 

• Enhance Industry Partnerships – By connecting Mississippi businesses with local schools, we help shape strategies that meets workforce demands, ensuring students graduate with relevant skills that employers seek. 

• Invest in Workforce Development – Through initiatives like career coaching, technical training programs, and funding for career and technical centers, we provide students and job seekers with the resources they need to succeed. 

• Promote CTE Awareness – We’re working with partners to shift the narrative around CTE, showcasing how these programs are not just an alternative to traditional education but a pathway to economic mobility and career advancement. 

As we celebrate CTE Month, we invite students, parents, educators, and industry leaders to take a closer look at the incredible opportunities CTE offers. Whether it’s attending a career fair, visiting a technical center, or learning more about CTE Pathways, now is the time to explore how CTE can lead to a successful and fulfilling career. 

AccelerateMS believes that Career and Technical Education is investing in Mississippi’s future. Together, we can build a workforce that is skilled, competitive, and ready to lead in the 21st-century economy. 

Join AccelerateMS in celebrating CTE Month, where we are accelerating Mississippi’s workforce by empowering students, educators, and industry partners to build a stronger future together. 

AccelerateMS serves the people and businesses of Mississippi by developing and deploying workforce strategies to connect individuals with transformative, high-paying careers. By leveraging resources and partnering with organizations that hold complementary missions, AccelerateMS effectuates positive change, creating sustained individual, community, and statewide economic prosperity.