ELLISVILLE, Miss. — September 16, 2025 – Colby Mills is an example of how dedication and vision can shape a future. In 2025, Mills graduated from South Jones High School while also completing the Jones College Jasper County Utility Lineworker Program, a rare accomplishment that launched his career in skilled trades and public service. While many […]
JACKSON, Miss. — September 15, 2025 — AccelerateMS, in partnership with the State Workforce Investment Board (SWIB), is proud to release the Board’s most recent recommendations aimed at strengthening Mississippi’s workforce, expanding training opportunities, and preparing our state for the jobs of tomorrow.\ Between now and 2035, Mississippi will need to train 19,000 additional skilled […]
September 8, 2025 JACKSON, Miss — The State Workforce Investment Board (SWIB) is calling for stronger alignment between education and workforce in response to two recent data reports – (1) a new analysis of graduate work outcomes from each of Mississippi’s public colleges and universities (2) a report showing educational attainment levels of Mississippi public […]
9/5/2025 COLUMBUS, Miss. – Kressley Burgess has faced more than his share of challenges, but instead of letting them define him, he leaned on faith and determination to keep moving forward. Despite lifelong medical struggles, he never lost sight of his goal to graduate from high school, and in 2024, he proudly walked across the […]
JACKSON, Miss. — AccelerateMS proudly joins the nation in recognizing September as National Workforce Development Month, celebrating the vital role that skilled workers and workforce professionals play in driving Mississippi’s economy forward. The proclamation, issued by Governor Tate Reeves, highlights the importance of investing in our workforce to create a robust and resilient economy. Workforce […]
JACKSON, Miss. — Today, AccelerateMS recognized four individuals and groups for their outstanding contributions to Mississippi’s workforce efforts. Awardees were Cody Spence, Director of Career and Technical Education at East Central Community College; South Central MS Works; Justin Hall, Executive Director of the Marshall County Industrial Development Authority; and Frankie Adair, Site Executive for the […]
JACKSON, Miss. – August 20, 2025 – AccelerateMS is excited to introduce EnCORE, an innovative program aimed at connecting Mississippi’s highly experienced professionals with instructor, trainer, and mentor opportunities within the state’s workforce development framework. EnCORE: Calling Our Retired Experts seeks to develop a centralized pool of skilled individuals—especially those nearing or entering retirement—who are […]
JACKSON, Miss. – AccelerateMS has officially announced the relaunch of the Mississippi Reconnect Program 2.0, a bold initiative designed to re-engage unemployed and significantly underemployed Mississippians through accelerated training and career-connected learning in high-demand industries. The program will begin accepting applications in October for early January program start dates. “Mississippi Reconnect is more than a […]
Robert Burgess of Madison, Mississippi, never imagined where a simple web search would lead. Working for a low-voltage installation company, he searched “fiber training Mississippi” and discovered an AWS pre-apprenticeship program that would later transform his career path. “A year ago, this was nowhere near my radar,” Burgess reflected. Now, he’s an Assistant Superintendent with […]
JACKSON, Miss. — August 11, 2025 – North Mississippi’s future nurses are now learning in state-of-the-art classrooms and labs at the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s (UMMC) School of Nursing in Oxford, thanks in part to funding provided by AccelerateMS through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The major renovations, celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony this […]