New Albany and Union County have outstanding local school systems. However, with today’s rapid advances in technology and increased globablization leading to ever greater business competition, these are not enough. For workers and businesses to compete in the world of today and tomorrow, lifelong learning is not just a cliché; it is a necessity. Therefore, workforce training has become one of the most important factors in the success of individuals, businesses, and ultimately communities.
Northeast Mississippi Community College Division of Workforce Training and Economic Development
The Northeast Mississippi Community College Division of Workforce Training and Economic Development is the primary provider of workforce training in New Albany and Union County. The Workforce Division can assist businesses and industries in assessing needs and developing training plans.
Services Available to Business and Industry –
· Job Analysis
· Assessment
· Assistance with the Development of Long-Range Training Plans
· Workplace Basic Skills
· Industry-Specific Pre-Employment Training
· Customized Skills Training
· Total Quality Management
· Advanced Skills Training
· Training Manuals and Multimedia Training Aids
Northeast can meet a company’s needs by designing and delivering
customized training programs. The training programs range from basic skills to complex technical training in the following areas –
· Customized Pre-Employment Training
· Post-Employment Training
· Retraining and Upgrade Training
For those individuals who lack a high school diploma or basic academic skills, Northeast’s Workforce Division offers the Adult Basic Education program. This program provides the missing academic skills and prepares adults for the General Education Development (GED) test.
Unlike many other areas, Northeast operates the WIN Job Centers in its district, assuring a greater degree of coordination in the services provided. WIN Job Centers were created by the federal Workforce Investment Act (see below) and provide a wide range of services. New Albany’s WIN Job Center is located at Northeast at New Albany, 301 North Street.
Workforce Investment Act
The federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 created the
Workforce Investment Network (WIN) in Mississippi. It is administered at the state level by the
Mississippi Department of Employment Security and governed at the local level by the Mississippi Partnership serving 27 counties.
The Three Rivers Planning and Development District serves as the Fiscal/Administrative Agent for the Mississippi Partnership. WIA services are delivered by a statewide system of WIN Job Centers. The WIN Job Centers provide one-stop, user-friendly services for job seekers and employers. Services include –
· Posting of job openings
· Hosting job fairs
· Assisting businesses with job descriptions and eligibility criteria
· Recruiting and screening workers
· Referring to appropriate training
As noted above, New Albany’s WIN Job Center is operated by Northeast Mississippi Community College.
In some instances, a customer may obtain an Individual Training Account (ITA) voucher for training from a qualified training provider.
On the Job Training
On the Job Training (OJT) is a WIA program that helps businesses obtain workers by reimbursing them for a portion of the workers’ wages during an initial training period. The employee cannot have any prior experience in the job for which training is developed. Under the OJT program, employers may be reimbursed for up to 50% of the wages. The length of time reimbursement will be provided is usually from 60 to 1,040 hours per employee and is based on the job’s skill levels and on the content of the training. OJT can also be used to upgrade existing workers into better jobs. To apply for OJT, contact Michael Marolt, Mississippi Department of Employment Security, 662-696-2317, mmarolt@mdes.ms.gov.
Union County youth and adults alike have ample educational opportunities to prepare for a career or a career change.
New Albany-Union County School of Career & Technical Education
The
New Albany-Union County School of Career & Technical Education is operated by the New Albany School District but through a cooperative agreement, students in the Union County School District have equal access to the programs offered. Programs offered by the New Albany-Union County School of Career & Technical Education are –
· Agriscience
· Allied Health
· Auto Mechanics
· Building Trades
· Business & Computer Technology
· Early Childhood Services and Education
· Cooperative Education
· Culinary Arts
· Drafting
· Family and Consumer Science
· Technology Applications
· Technology Discovery
Northeast Mississippi Community College Career and Technical Programs
Northeast’s career and technical programs are offered for students who will seek employment upon completion of the program. Northeast offers 22 technical programs leading to the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree and six career or occupational programs leading to the award of a certificate.
Technical programs (A.A.S.) offered are –
· Business and Marketing Management Technology
· Child Development Technology
· Civil Engineering Technology
· Computer Aided Design and Drafting Technology
· Computer Programming Technology
· Construction Engineering Technology
· Country/Western Music
· Dental Hygiene Technology
· Electrical/ Electronics Technology
· Forestry Technology
· Hotel and Restaurant Management Technology
· Industrial Maintenance Technology
· Landscape Management Technology
· Machine Tool & Die Technology
· Medical Assisting Technology
· Medical Laboratory Technology
· Microcomputer Technology
· Nursing (ADN-RN)
· Office Systems Technology
· Paralegal Technology
· Radiologic (Medical) Technology
· Respiratory Care Technology
Career or Occupational Certificate programs offered are –
· Auto Body Repair
· Automotive Mechanics and Service Technician
· Diesel Mechanics
· Heating and Air Conditioning
· Machine Tool and Die
· Practical Nursing Education (LPN)
