Workforce Training / Job Training Programs
Mississippi Workforce Training Program
Simpson County can offer new and existing industry custom designed pre-employment training, post-employment training, and upgrade-retraining services. These programs are available through the Industrial Services Bureau of the State Department of Education in conjunction with the community/junior college system. The local industrial training coordinator in each community or junior college district is responsible for the administration, planning, and coordination of all industrial training projects funded by the State Department of Education in that district.The State of Mississippi Community and Junior College System operates 15 community or junior colleges in 36 centers across the state. Business and industry in Simpson County utilize the facilities and workforce training expertise at Copiah-Lincoln Community College (more information about Copiah-Lincoln Community College below). The pre-employment training program can be conducted at the plant site, at the community or junior college campus, in a mobile unit, or at another designated facility. Instructor costs are reimbursable and negotiated on an individual project basis. The length of the pre-employment training is also negotiable, but typically conforms to the accepted training standard and practice of the industry. Costs for training materials in the pre-employment training program may also be reimbursed as part of the negotiated agreement.
Services available through this program include:
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Job analysis
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Assistance with development of long-range training plans
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Workplace basic skills
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Industry-specific pre-employment training
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Pre- and post-employment screening, testing, and training
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Customized skills training
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Total Quality Management
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Management, supervision, and leadership training
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Advanced skills training
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Custom-designed training manuals and multi-media aids.
Upon completion of the pre-employment training program, the employer has the option of choosing the candidates to be retained for employment. The costs of the training program may vary depending upon the type of training requested. The cost of each program is negotiated based on required training needs of each industry. Custom designed training manuals and multi-media training aids are available as a part of the industrial training program.
Federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
Working in conjunction with the State of Mississippi’s workforce training program, the federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) is used to assist new and existing companies with the retraining of displaced workers. In the WIA program, employers may be reimbursed up to 50 percent of wages for new workers for up to six months. When participants complete the training and enter un-subsidized employment, the employer may realize additional savings through a tax credit available under the Targeted Job Tax Credit Program. WIA assistance is provided through the Mississippi Development Authority.
Copiah-Lincoln Community College and the Workforce Development Center
Artist rendering of the new Copiah-Lincoln Community College Simpson County Center. The state of the art $4 million dollar center is currently under construction and slated to be open for classes in the Fall of 2005. Copiah-Lincoln Community College provides academic courses equivalent to the first two years of college or university work that can apply to a baccalaureate or professional degree. The Main campus is located in Wesson, nine miles north of Brookhaven, Co-Lin also offers programs to prepare students for employment and community service programs to update worker skills or learn new ones. Co-Lin also has a campus at Natchez and a facility in Simpson County in the Town Magee.The Workforce Development Center at Copiah-Lincoln Community College was created by an act of the Mississippi Legislature in 1994 to provide workforce training and support for new, existing, and expanding businesses and industries in the state.
The Workforce Development Center offers programs and services designed to assist individuals and companies meet the challenges of a changing workplace. For many businesses and industries these include on-site customized training, industry or firm-related pre-employment training, and basic skills classes. Furthermore, the Development Center is staffed to provide individuals who need training or retraining with assessment, counseling, and referrals to training or jobs; pre-employment training; basic skills training and high school equivalency education; and short-term job skills training.The development of workforce skills through special industrial and adult training classes is viewed as a primary mission of the community college. Thus, Copiah-Lincoln Community College maintains a team of professionals dedicated to delivering high-quality services to its customers. In addition, the enterprising nature of the Workforce Development Center allows Co-Lin to access the resources of the Mississippi State Board for Community and Junior Colleges, the State Department of Education, the Office of Vocational and Technical Education, and the Mississippi State University Research and Curriculum Unit.
The Workforce Development Center at Co-Lin also has the means to access the resources of Career/Skill Tech Centers at the state’s other 14 public community and junior colleges.The Workforce Development Center utilizes a team approach to provide resources and service to its customers. The team includes the Workforce Development Coordinators, Personal Development Specialist, Small Business Development Center Director, Basic Skills Specialist, and the Workforce Development Center Training Specialist. Although the Workforce Development Center team works under the guidance of the Dean of Community Services, the team also receives direction from the local District Workforce Development Council.The District Workforce Development Council is responsible for identifying workforce development needs, establishing short-term and long-term goals for industry-specific training, and coordinating all workforce training programs. Members of the Copiah-Lincoln Community College District Workforce Development Council are selected from persons recommended by chambers of commerce, labor unions, industrial foundations, community organizations, and local governmental agencies located in the district. As required by the legislation, one appointee is involved in basic literacy training.
