Area students encouraged to pursue vo tech careers

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – According to a recent study by the Commerce Department, both Mississippi and Alabama rely heavily on production and manufacturing jobs.

In response to that, many school districts and community colleges have started focusing on skilled trades and certificate programs.

The push for students to earn a two-year degree over a four-year degree is stronger than ever before.

Susan McClelland is the director of the newly built Career Tech Center for the Lowndes County School District.

She said the facility was built to accommodate growing vo tech interest in the area.

“We have great companies and industries in our area, and we want to make sure that we have students that are prepared to take on those positions,” said McClelland.

McClelland said the program is perfect for students who aren’t certain about attending a four-year university.

“Oftentimes, students may apply to a four-year university right out of high school and they change their major four or five times. Students can come out to the center, and they can find maybe a trade or a skill that they are interested in,” said McClelland.

EMCC President Dr. Scott Alsobrooks said the stigma around two-year degrees is changing.

“I certainly think that the mindset is changing for a two-year degree. This area, the Golden Triangle, in particular, has made a huge investment with the Communiversity and supporting East Mississippi Community College,” said Alsobrooks.

He said EMCC has also seen a rise in career tech interest.

“Our percentage of students in the two-year route is up higher than what it was even last year, so I think there are some people paying attention and taking notice of the opportunities with the workforce type route,” said Alsobrooks.

Even though there are thousands of students learning skills and trades throughout the state each year, instructor Jordan Hawkins said more workers are needed.

“I think a lot of people just don’t know that there are that many jobs out there just to be honest with you,” said Hawkins.

Experts said a person with a welding certificate can find a job making around $30 an hour, which is a little less than $60,000 a year, before taxes.