Holmes County CTE Sees Transformative Impact from EquipMS Grant, Boosting Student Skills and Workforce Readiness 

04/24/2025

LEXINGTON, Miss – The Holmes County Career and Technical Center (HCCTC) provides critical career training for both high school students and adult learners in Lexington, Mississippi. Through programs that combine technical skills with real-world application, HCCTC supports workforce readiness and economic opportunity. 

With the help of a $45,000 EquipMS grant from AccelerateMS, the center has been able to invest in modern equipment, ensuring students are prepared for the demands of today’s job market. 

The EquipMS Grant program, created through House Bill 588 (2023) as part of the Mississippi K-12 Workforce Development initiative, is designed to help public school districts modernize and enhance high school career and technical education (CTE) programs in priority sectors—including industrial maintenance. 

“This is where it all begins,” said Center Director Shintri Hathorn. “We offer career and technical training to high schoolers and adults alike. For anyone pursuing a path in maintenance or mechanical engineering, our program lays the groundwork.” 

Modernization Through Equip MS Grant 

Looking at the impact of recent investments, Hathorn explained how the EquipMS grant has transformed learning and boosted student engagement at Holmes County CTC with the addition of an industrial lift and a VR forklift simulator.  

The arrival of the forklift simulator instantly sparked excitement among students. With its steering wheel and multiple screens, it resembled a video game setup—something they were already familiar with and drawn to. Hathorn noted that the experience felt incredibly lifelike, with realistic sounds and visuals that made students feel as though they were actually navigating a warehouse, even practicing maneuvers like reversing. 

That virtual training came full circle during industry tours, including a visit to Hunter Engineering, where students were able to see similar equipment being used in a real-world setting.  

“They started by feeling like they were in a game,” Hathorn explained, “but seeing the same machinery in action during the tour helped them make the connection between simulation and real-life application. It really brought everything together and elevated their skill development.” 

James Edwards, industrial maintenance instructor, highlighted how the simulator offers a safe space for students to learn and make mistakes without real-world consequences, even before they are old enough to operate a real forklift.  

“With the forklift simulator, students get a chance to mess up, knock something over, or hit an object without causing any real damage. They’re doing it in a simulation, so they can make mistakes and learn from them. In real life, you can’t afford to do that—you could damage products or equipment, which can cost the company a lot of money. Some of them don’t even know how to drive yet, but the simulator helps teach them basic driving skills and how to handle a forklift safely, all without risking damage to equipment, products, or buildings.” 

Hathorn added, “Having this simulator gives them that experience so that when they do come of age and can sit for that exam, they’re ready. There’s not a big learning curve there for them.” 

Students expressed that the forklift simulator and welding were their two favorite parts of the industrial maintenance course.  

Jiyah Fitzpatrick shared, “I didn’t know how to do it at first until he [Mr. Edwards] taught me. I was nervous!  I made some mistakes at first, but it was fun.”  

Many of the students responded that they had family members who drive forklifts. Others mentioned that they have family members who do autobody work and HVAC, which are also available at the Center.  

In addition to the physical upgrades the Center has been able to make with the help of the grant, and the certificates and certifications available, which assist adult learners in gaining employment and upskilling, another drawing point is that the center partners with Holmes Community College, allowing high school students to earn college credits through dual enrollment classes.  

Most of the students mentioned that after high school, they would like to attend community college to gain a trade, with the exception of one student who wanted to attend Mississippi State for architecture. 

Curriculum and Training 

The center offers a wide range of programs to meet varying interests and career goals. High school students can enroll in two-year programs that blend classroom instruction with hands-on experience and can choose from pathways such as industrial maintenance, construction, collision repair, law and public safety, agriscience, healthcare, and cosmetology. For adult learners, available courses include landscaping, welding, plumbing, auto body repair, and computer literacy. 

For adults, HCCTC provides short-term, skills-focused training programs that typically last 10 to 12 weeks. These programs lead to either certifications or certificates that can enhance employment opportunities. Other adult programs award certificates documenting 45 to 60 hours of technical training. While not formal certifications, these certificates are widely accepted by local employers.  

The Industrial Maintenance Program, which benefited from the EquipMS grant, was developed in response to labor market data highlighting the growing need for skilled workers in the region.  

Hathorn reflected on its evolution: “Before we transitioned to industrial maintenance, we focused on welding technology, which has long been important in our community. The new curriculum still includes welding, but now it also equips students with broader mechanical and maintenance skills—opening doors to roles like maintenance technician or supervisor.” 

Recruitment and Partnerships 

HCCTC actively recruits students through middle school tours and hands-on demonstrations, showcasing the center’s programs and opportunities. Alumni and industry professionals also play a crucial role in recruitment, sharing their experiences and insights with prospective students. 

Middle school tours and hands-on demonstrations are used to showcase the center’s programs, helping students visualize themselves in these roles. “We show videos of students actively engaged in activities like welding or building projects,” she explained.  

To replicate that experience, the center utilizes video content.  

“We share videos of our students who are actually involved in an activity, whether they are welding, whether they are taking the carburetor off of a lawn mower, whether they are building a deer stand or storage house, whether it’s our agriculture students who are utilizing their drone to monitor their greenhouse or their bee population, we try to show as many hands-on activities as we possibly can.” 

Career Outcomes 

Graduates of the programs have found employment within an array of local industries.   

Hathorn noted, “We have a number of students who currently work at Nissan, Hunter Engineering, and Milwaukee Tools. Some are working in the welding area, while others are in manufacturing, paint, or general labor roles.” 

Other alumni have graduated from the industrial maintenance program and found work with companies such as Ivey Mechanical and Canadian National Railroad.   

Future Plans 

Looking ahead, HCCTC is excited about new opportunities, including the expansion of Milwaukee Tools in Grenada, which is expected to create more job opportunities for students in the region. The center has also applied for new programs in information technology and business marketing to address emerging career needs.  

“This will create more job opportunities for our students, allowing them to stay within their community while pursuing fulfilling careers,” Hathorn said. 

HCCTC’s commitment to quality education, industry partnerships, and responsiveness to local needs continues to drive its success in preparing students for the workforce and contributing to the economic development of Holmes County. 

For more information, contact Shintri Hathorn, Center Director at shathorn@holmesccsd.org. 

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.