Local Business & Economic Development

East Mississippi Community College

Workforce Services

With campuses in the Golden Triangle area (comprising the Mississippi cities of  Starkville, West Point, and Columbus) and in the community of Scooba , East Mississippi Community College offers academic programs, career and technical education, adult basic education, and work force training.

The Workforce Services program at East Mississippi Community College partners with businesses and industries to meet their workforce training needs. Workforce Development Coordinators work closely with new and existing companies to accurately determine their training needs and then design and present the types of training that will meet those needs.

Typical training programs combine classroom learning with hands-on work that allows learners to practice the skills they are learning. To conduct the training, the Workforce Services program draws upon people from the company being served, college personnel from the academic and vocational-technical area, and experts in the skills needed.

In the 2009-10 academic year, EMCC Workforce Services delivered well over 800,000 hours of work force training to more than 6,400 participants. Standard training programs are provided in the areas of computer applications, safety, manufacturing skills, technical maintenance and support skills, and medical careers.

Center for Manufacturing Technology Excellence

Located in Mayhew, 12 miles east of  Starkville, the Center offers industry-driven training to create technically proficient workers. The facility includes two computer labs, a 70-seat auditorium, 2 classrooms, and a commons area which can be used for trade shows or conferences.

Mississippi State University

Research and Curriculum Unit

The Research and Curriculum Unit at MSU provides offers online courses and professional development training to employees and businesses. The university maintains a media center with journals, training manuals and videos, and other resources that may be viewed online and checked out to individuals.

Materials and Services Offered Include

• Customized training modules
• Industry specific training modules
• Technology-based training tools
• In-person training
• Assessments

Divison of Academic Outreach and Continuing Education

The Division of Academic outreach and Continuing Education offers online professional development classes in several fields including healthcare, IT and software development, management and corporate, skilled trades and industrial.  Instructor-led courses or work at your own pace courses are available.

WIN Job Center

Mississippi’s network of WIN Job Centers provide a range of valuable services to workers and employers alike. The Centers, operated through the state’s Workforce Investment Network (WIN), provide a single point of access to federal, state, and local work force programs and services.

A WIN Job Center is conveniently located alongside MS Hwy 82 near the Golden Triangle Regional airport (between the cities of Starkville and Columbus) at 5000 North Frontage Road, Columbus. For assistance, call (662) 328-6876.

Services include

• Work force training
• Worker proficiency testing
• Identification of qualified workers through an online database
• Information about the labor market, local wages, on-the-job training programs, and tax credits
• Advice and assistance with NAFTA and Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) benefits and forms.

Millsaps Career and Technology Center

Part of the Starkville School District, this Center prepares high school students for highly skilled technical jobs or further education.