News

04/23/2024 JACKSON, Miss. — AccelerateMS, the lead office for workforce development strategy and coordination, is pleased to announce the promotions of Shelika Hooker and Dr. Cliff Thames, effective April 15, 2024. Hooker has been appointed as the Director of Grants Management and Thames has assumed the role of Director of Data and Insights. “I am […]

04/02/2024 WASHINGTON — Mississippi Representative Donnie Bell received the Workforce Advocacy and Policy Award from the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) in recognition of his efforts in spearheading the state’s innovative career coach initiative, which serves as a vital bridge connecting students with promising career pathways tailored to meet the needs of growing industries. […]

03/20/2024 JACKSON, Miss. — AccelerateMS, the lead office for workforce development strategy and coordination, has named Trey Smith as Director of Talent Solutions to strategize and implement recruitment and training initiatives to bolster economic development in Mississippi. Collaborating with educational institutions and training providers, Smith will lead the customization of solutions for emerging and growing […]

03/15/2024 JACKSON, Miss. — As Mississippi’s office for workforce development strategy and coordination, we forge connections with key providers of workforce training and employment opportunities to enhance the lives of all Mississippians. Recognizing the diverse landscape, we continuously navigate toward tailored solutions. In response to Mississippi House Bill 1388, enacted in March 2022, a baseline […]

02/29/2024 JACKSON, Miss. — On Wednesday, the State Workforce Investment Board confirmed Dr. Courtney Taylor as the new Executive Director of AccelerateMS, the lead office for workforce development strategy and coordination. Effective March 16, 2024, Taylor takes the reins from Ryan Miller, who has led the office since its inception in 2021. Taylor joined AccelerateMS in […]

02/14/2024 Every February, millions of flowers, gifts, candies, and cards exchange hands worldwide in the name of love. While our office admits to having a bit of a sweet tooth, we also love highlighting the impactful role that Career and Technical Education (CTE) plays here in Mississippi. February is CTE Month, providing an opportunity to […]

01/30/2024 JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi has allocated approximately $1.4 million to career and technical education efforts at 25 high schools and districts across the state, aiming to empower students by aligning their education with their future careers or post-secondary education programs. The EquipMS Grant program, established through House Bill 588 (2023) as the Mississippi K-12 […]

01/03/2024 JACKSON, Miss. — Accelerate Mississippi, the lead office for workforce development strategy and coordination, is pleased to announce that Edward Hargrove will take the lead on federal projects, effective January 1, 2024. In his new role, Hargrove will be responsible for federal grant initiatives and working alongside state partners to develop strategies aimed at […]

12/20/2023 JACKSON, Miss. — The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), announced today that the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES), in partnership with Accelerate MS, has been awarded a Strategy Development Grant (SDG) to fund local planning activities related to increasing the labor force participation of 25-54 year olds not currently in the labor […]

12/11/2023 JACKSON, Miss. — More than a year after being deployed into Mississippi high schools, AccelerateMS career coaches are proving that students make better choices about the future when they have more individualized support, control, and more connections—all of which benefit workforce development in Mississippi. “Bringing in more coaches has generated a lot of excitement,”  […]