BOLTON, MISSISSIPPI – Today, United States Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) announced that Appalachian Regional Commission has approved a $2,000,000 grant award to the Mississippi Department of Education for Enhancing Workforce Training Programs. In addition to those funds the Department itself has agreed to provide $500,000 in funds to support the effort, bringing the total project funding to $2.5 million.
“We have got to invest today because the search has already started for future talent. And a wise investment in human capital is with those students still in school,” said, Congressman Thompson. This project will develop and enhance occupational skills programs at the high school level in order to meet the demand for a high performance workforce and promote skills and knowledge necessary to compete in the world economy.
The funds will allow distressed school district to spend on equipment that will upgrade and enhance their career-technical education programs, allowing them to provide state-of-art training. Many of these programs will provide hands-on activities and give students occupational training opportunities they would not otherwise have been able to experience, and ultimately help keep students in school. This is the foundation students need in order to be better prepared for both higher education and the workforce. Congressman Thompson also said he is aware of the need for intervention and help, which is why next month, on September 19th he is hosting the 2008 College and Job Fair at the Washington County Convention Center in Greenville. For information on the fair simply call his Greenville Office for Timla Washington at 662-335-9003.
For more information on the $2.5 million dollar effort to Enhance Workforce Training Programs in high schools in Mississippi you may contact Michael Mulvihill at the MS Department of Education by calling (601) 359-3086.