News

Mississippi Invests in High School Career Programs to Strengthen Workforce Development 

CTE, News, News Release, Workforce Development /

JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi is enhancing career and technical education programs at 10 high schools and districts statewide, aiming to better prepare students for success in high-demand industries and post-secondary education pathways.  This year’s awards focus on manufacturing, industrial maintenance, energy, and construction programs, strategically aligning with local industries’ workforce needs. Since 2024, Mississippi has […]

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King to Lead Workforce Innovation at AccelerateMS 

New Hire, News, Workforce Development /

JACKSON, Miss.— AccelerateMS, Mississippi’s lead office for workforce development strategy and coordination, has appointed Blaise King as the Director of Workforce Innovation, spearheading initiatives to develop and implement cutting-edge workforce strategies that align with Mississippi’s economic and talent priorities.  In this role, King will collaborate with statewide partners to bridge the gap between education, training,

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FlexFactor Program Reaches Milestone Quarter 

FlexFactor, News, Workforce Development /

JACKSON, Miss.—  The FlexFactor program reached an unprecedented milestone in 2024, completing 68 iterations and engaging over 1,120 K-12 students across Mississippi in its most successful quarter to date.  Administered by NextFlex in partnership with AccelerateMS, MS-SHIPS, and the Department of Defense, FlexFactor is a flagship initiative in advanced manufacturing innovation. This program introduces K-12

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What a Year for Workforce Innovation in Mississippi

CTE, News, Workforce Development /

2024 has been a landmark year for Mississippi’s workforce development, marked by transformative investments, groundbreaking training initiatives, and strategic partnerships. From billion-dollar corporate expansions to empowering students and career coaches, Mississippi has solidified its position as a leader in workforce innovation, fueling economic growth and creating opportunities for all.  Early in the year, Governor Tate

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Inaugural Tri-State Summit Building Collaborative Conversations Around Gulf Coast Defense Industrial Base Workforce

News, Workforce Development /

JACKSON, Miss.— Industry and workforce partners from Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana recently gathered for the first Gulf Coast Defense Industrial Base Workforce Summit to discuss the growing needs and best practices for a skilled workforce. Hosted by AccelerateMS and the Gulf Coast Business Council, the Summit featured industry panels, as well guest speakers Adele Ratcliffe,

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AccelerateMS Launches Two Workforce Development Initiatives: Mississippi Apprenticeship Accelerator and Mississippi Reconnect

News, News Release /

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

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Inspiring Mississippi’s Next Generation of Manufacturers

News /

JACKSON, Miss. — From facility tours to welding competitions and STEM camps, hundreds of students from across Mississippi gained insights into the industries in their communities as part of a national grassroots movement to spark interest in manufacturing careers.  MFG Day is celebrated annually on the first Friday in October, with events continuing throughout the

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AccelerateMS Announces Key Hires to Advance Workforce Training and Development

New Hire, News, Workforce Development /

JACKSON, Miss. — AccelerateMS, Mississippi’s office for workforce development strategy and coordination, is excited to welcome two dynamic professionals to its team: Dwight Herlong as Coordinator serving Ecosystems 4 & 6 and Ty McCearley as Training Operations Manager.   Herlong is an accomplished, global operations executive, with strong general management skills with almost two decades of

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Investing in Mississippi’s Future: EquipMS Grant Applications Now Open for CTE Programs 

CTE, News, Request for Application /

JACKSON, Miss. — AccelerateMS, Mississippi’s office for workforce development strategy and coordination, is requesting applications to invest in Mississippi’s high school career and technical programs.   Now in its second year, the EquipMS Grant program, established through House Bill 588 (2023) as the Mississippi -12 Workforce Development Grant program, aims to provide funding for Mississippi public

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Mississippi Expands Career Coaching Initiative with Additional Funding  

Career Coaches, CTE, News, News Release /

JACKSON, Miss. — This fall, Mississippi is ramping up its efforts to guide high school students towards promising career paths by significantly increasing the number of career coaches across the state.  The number of career coaches will rise to 203 for the 2024-2025 academic year, thanks to the addition of new coaches. These professionals will

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