WEST POINT, Miss. – April 29, 2026 – On the production floor at Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi, learning doesn’t stop when a shift begins.
Employees are building skills in real time—troubleshooting equipment, working through new challenges, and preparing for more advanced roles. For a group of employees whose work is paired with time in the classroom, where they are earning a degree while continuing to work.
Their experience is part of a broader effort across Mississippi to expand work-based learning and strengthen the state’s workforce.
Through a partnership with East Mississippi Community College, Yokohama launched a company-led program, part of a broader work-based learning model that allows employees to earn a Systems-Based Automation Control Technology Associate of Applied Science degree while continuing to work. The model combines classroom instruction with hands-on experience, giving participants the opportunity to immediately apply what they learn on the job.
The program was created in response to a growing need for skilled trades workers. Like many manufacturers in the country, Yokohama faced challenges finding experienced maintenance technicians in a competitive labor market. Rather than relying solely on outside hiring, company leaders chose to invest in developing their existing workforce.
“It’s a win-win for Yokohama and our area,” said Dr. Michael Busby, vice president of career technical and workforce education at East Mississippi Community College. “They’re coming to school, still employed, and giving back to the industry.”
For many participants, the program provides a clear pathway to career advancement.
Employees in the program begin on the production floor before moving into more technical roles, including maintenance. The transition introduces new challenges, but also new opportunities to build specialized skills and take on more complex responsibilities.
“Being on the production floor, you know your daily routine,” said Alvin Tate. “Coming to maintenance, you encounter different things at any given time.”
Many participants balance full-time work with school and family responsibilities. Tate, who is raising six children, said the program has helped him build a more stable future.
“I’m just grateful for the opportunity to better myself — a fresh start,” he said.
For others, the program serves as an entry point into a long-term career.
Participants gain experience through hands-on training at the Communiversity, a large-scale workforce training center near Columbus, where they complete practical projects such as building pneumatic systems, wiring electrical components and troubleshooting equipment. The training is designed to reflect real-world scenarios they encounter on the job.
“Maintenance is always something new — you’re always going to learn,” said Matthew Kirkland.
Participants say the program helps build confidence and develop skills that extend beyond the workplace.
“If somebody like me can do it — anybody can do it,” Kirkland said.
The program is designed to identify employees who show both interest and aptitude for technical work. Applicants must meet internal requirements, including time with the company and a strong work record, while also demonstrating a desire to learn how systems operate and how to diagnose and solve problems.
“They have a desire to see how things work, take things apart and put them back together,” said Suzy Baker, plant training supervisor.
Company leaders say the program is part of a long-term workforce strategy focused on developing talent internally.
“When I first came here, there was a need for skilled trades,” said Philip Calhoun, vice president of operations at Yokohama. “If you can’t find the talent, then you have to develop your own people.”
Rather than relying solely on external hiring, the company invests in employees who are already familiar with operations and company culture—helping ease the transition into more technical roles while strengthening retention.
Yokohama covers 100% of tuition and books for participants who meet academic requirements, helping remove financial barriers to continuing education and expanding access to training opportunities.
Participants in the program work toward an associate degree while gaining experience on the job, creating a direct pathway into maintenance and other technical roles.
“We’re investing in them, and in return they’re investing back in our company,” Baker said.
The program also supports broader workforce development efforts across the state.
Dr. Busby said partnerships between industry and community colleges are critical to preparing workers for in-demand careers and supporting regional growth.
“The more we partner with industry, the better off this region is going to be,” he said.
The work-based learning model continues to expand at Yokohama, with new cohorts in development and discussions about extending the approach into areas such as information technology and advanced production roles. Programs like this also help address long-standing workforce challenges by creating opportunities for employees to advance without leaving their jobs or their communities.
“There’s nothing but growth potential,” Calhoun said.
As Mississippi continues to invest in workforce development, programs like this highlight a practical approach: create opportunities for current employees, align training with industry needs, and build a stronger workforce from within.
About AccelerateMS
AccelerateMS supports the people and businesses of Mississippi by creating and implementing workforce strategies that link individuals to transformative, high-paying careers. Through strong partnerships and effective grants management, the organization promotes sustained individual, community, and statewide economic growth.