VIDEO: Program Helps Further Students Entering The Workforce

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- In the Golden Triangle there are a multitude of jobs in multiple industries. Unfortunately, there’s currently not enough people with the right skills to fill those positions.

Now, an agreement between the Golden Triangle Development LINK, EMCC, and area high schools is hoping to fix that.

The program is called Work Keys, it gives high school students the keys to succeed in the modern industrial workforce.

Today, the organizations sign off on year three of the program.

Educators say this program is vital for students in both the classroom and after they walk across the stage.

“One thing we were told even before we started the work keys was that all these industry was coming into our area, but our students weren’t ready. They didn’t have the workforce ready to power and man the positions that were out there available. And they’re $50,000, $60,000, $70,000 a year jobs and so we knew that we needed to make this next step so that our workforce could be there for them,” says Lowndes County’s Assistant Superintendent Robin Ballard.

“The program allows students who are not necessarily dedicated to another 4 years of academic classes, it allows them to see the opportunity to go to a career ready program and be trained. They already have some of the skills necessary if they can pass the work keys with a silver or gold level,” says Lowndes County Graduation Coach Melissa Suddith.

“It was really a no brainer because its really a win win. I mean you can’t help but to be on the side of the students and that’s what we want to do is prepare our students for the next step when they graduate from our schools and we know that this will help give them the confidence to take that next step,” says Ballard.

She says they want to show the students and parents they care.

“It shows them that the school district and schools are behind them to take the next step, we’re not just finished with them when they’re finished with our schools and walk out with their diploma. This gives them, yes you got your diploma but this is gonna help take you to the next step,” says Ballard.

Teachers all agree, they see the excitement in their students’ eyes.

“My students love, absolutely love taking it once they understand what it does for them,” says Suddith.

“I think it gives them another avenue, another hope, another direction. I think we need a lot of options and this is something that’s important to them,” says Lowndes County STEM teacher Susie Oglesby.

“It helps them to be career ready and helps them get better jobs when they graduate high school or college,” says Lowndes County Teacher Jennifer Rollison.

Economic developers say the program has been successful the past two years and they’re excited to see what the next classes produce.