News

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, […]

Workforce development is more than a single strategy or program; it’s about improving the lives of all Mississippians. At AccelerateMS, this has been our mission since day one. While some say New Year’s resolutions are made to be broken, we see them as an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to progress. By working together with […]

01/10/2025 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 students […]

12/20/2024 JACKSON, Miss. — 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 […]

11/14/2024 GULFPORT, 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 […]

10/23/2024 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, are excited to announce two transformative initiatives aimed at strengthening Mississippi’s workforce: the Mississippi Apprenticeship Accelerator (MAA) and Mississippi Reconnect. These programs will play […]

10/08/2024 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 […]

10/01/2024 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 […]

09/10/2024 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 […]

08/22/2024 JACKSON, Miss. — Today, AccelerateMS recognized four individuals and groups for their outstanding contributions to Mississippi’s workforce efforts. Awardees were the Advancements in Manufacturing Upskilling Program (AiM UP) at Mississippi State University, Jones College Advanced Technology Center Workforce Welding Program, Gino Perkins, Workforce Development Manager at Nissan North America, and Ryan Miller, Chief Executive […]