Mississippi has joined 11 other states as part of a nationwide initiative to boost workforce training and improve economic outcomes for working adults.
AccelerateMS, the Magnolia State’s lead office for workforce development strategy and coordination, announced Thursday that the state will participate in FutureReady States. The project is a nationwide effort headed by Lumina Foundation that will provide funding to states to evaluate workforce training investments.
“We are excited to join Lumina in this critical work around our state,” Blaise King, director of workforce innovation at AccelerateMS, said. “The opportunity we have to shape and impact the people of Mississippi, in collaboration with our partners at the Mississippi Community College Board, is invaluable.
“AccelerateMS wants to ensure that we continue to evaluate and drive a substantial return on investment, not only for our state dollars, but for the individuals that make Mississippi the place that we call home.”
Lumina will award $2.2 million in the first phase of funding to help Mississippi and other states:
- Evaluate existing investments in short-term credential programs.
- Identify opportunities to improve program effectiveness and accessibility.
- Develop metrics to measure outcomes such as job placement, wage growth, and continued education.
- Align education and workforce systems with local employer needs.
In Mississippi, the resources provided through the initiative will be used to invest in growing high wage opportunities for working citizens, along with allowing professional mobility. Fields of focus for the initiative include healthcare, advanced manufacturing, transportation, distribution, logistics, energy, information technology, and more.
“Mississippi is committed to building a talent pipeline that works for everyone,” King concluded. “FutureReady States will help us make smart, data-driven investments that create opportunity.”
