Page 48 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2019

BUSINESS INDUSTRY hired &
here is a blue-collar labor shortage in the U.S., but not for the reasons you might think. Yes, manufacturing jobs are coming back to the states, increasing the demand for blue-collar workers, but studies show that there’s something else going on internally.
According to a report released by The Conference Board, a nonprofit organization that researches the American business climate, more high school seniors are pursuing four-
year degrees and starting careers in professional services, leaving a large gap in the workforce. This is where apprenticeship programs and technical schools come in.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) offers more than 60 career and technical programs, ranging in length from a few weeks to two years. Most programs have multiple credentialed exit points at 30, 45 and 60 credit hours, allowing students to qualify for jobs quickly.
“As part of the Gulf Coast Work Ready (GCWR) program, MGCCC offers cosmetology, massage therapy and commercial truck driving courses, says Public Information Coordinator Kathy McAdams. “The short-term GCWR program is designed to aid Gulf Coast citizens in the attainment
of specific skills needed in high- demand industries.” Nail technology, advanced maritime technology, oil and gas rig training, and unmanned underwater vehicle technology are slated to be added to the program.
Career and technical programs at MGCCC have world-class equipment with instruction that provides the training necessary to prepare students for state and national certification. “Each program operates with an industry advisory committee to ensure that the program is aligned with industry standards,” says McAdams. “MGCCC has a 92.1 percent job- placement rate for career, technical and health sciences graduates.”
Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula is another local leader when it comes to skilled labor training. “Our Apprentice School is the cornerstone of our workforce development efforts,” says Vice President of Human Resources and Administration Edmond Hughes. “The Ingalls Apprentice School has
graduated more than 4,000 students since its inception in 1952. The program offers two, three, and four- year apprenticeships in 15 trades.”
Currently, more than 1,500 apprentice alumnae fill approximately 50 different job types at Ingalls, from pipe welders to senior executives. In fact, Ingalls Shipbuilding’s current vice president of operations, George Jones started his career as a welder apprentice.
“We have also increased our high school outreach, creating a Shipbuilder Academy for high school students
as well as Talent Development Labs
at Moss Point, Pascagoula and Alma Bryant high schools, with plans at future schools as well,” says Hughes. “This includes training on basic communication skills, employability skills and financial wellness. Through Ingalls partnership with MGCCC, Shipbuilder Academy students have the opportunity to obtain college credit in three different classes.”
48 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • August 2019
FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster photos courtesy of MGCCC and Ingalls Shipbuilding