WCEA wins workforce training award through MS Economic Development Council
Feb 27, 2020
WASHINGTON COUNTY ECONOMIC ALLIANCE AWARDED FOR WORKFORCE TRAINING PROGRAM BY MS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
Greenville, Mississippi – The Mississippi Economic Development Council (MEDC) announced that the Opportunity Youth Training Program won the 2019 Community Economic Development Award (CEDA) on February 6, 2020.
The CEDA program is a “Best Practices” program intended to recognize exceptional contributions of communities in the State of Mississippi for the following efforts: business retention & expansion, business recruitment, community development and community involvement.
To help change the narrative in Washington County, the Washington County Economic Alliance, in partnership with Rural LISC, developed a Collaborative with community partners (e.g., MACE, the Washington County Police Department, the Expungement Program of Washington County, Mississippi Delta Community College, the Capps Center, and the Youth Court of Washington County), with the goal of breaking the barriers and fulfilling the potential of Washington County opportunity youth.
“We want to thank all our partners in Washington County and especially Rural Lisc,” said Will Coppage, Executive Director of the Washington County Economic Alliance. “Their support allowed us to focus in on a target group of 16 to 24-year-olds and lift them up in our community. A job is the number one catalyst for change, and our community is in the process of positive change.”
As part of this Collaborative, the WCEA Opportunity Youth Training Program was developed in November 2018 in an effort to coordinate research and resources as well as to provide ACT Testing and Workforce Training to youth ages 16-24 who have been disconnected from school or work for an extended period. As a result, WCEA’s Opportunity Youth Training Program has provided much needed employment training opportunities for Washington County youth who need it most.
As of December 2019, one hundred eighty-three (183) individuals have applied for the Opportunity Youth Training Program. Fifty-eight (58) individuals now have completed workforce training and now hold certifications in Welding, Medical Administration, Manufacturing Skills Basic Training, Commercial Driver's License Training and Permitting, Pharmacy Technician, and Pipefitting, which will greatly impact their ability to join the workforce. Additionally, thirty (30) individuals that have completed workforce training are now employed with local Washington County businesses, and post Opportunity Youth Training Program employment data continues to grow.
Contact
To learn more about the Opportunity Youth Training Program please contact:
Angelica Richards, Workforce and Special Projects Coordinator, Washington County Economic Alliance
342 Washington Ave #201
Greenville, MS 38701
arichards@wceams.com
Phone: (662) 378 – 3141
342 Washington Ave., Ste. 201
PO Box 933 • Greenville, MS 38702
{ P } 662.378.3141 • { F } 662.378.3143
wceams.com
Pictured in the photo is Carolyn Baker, Will Coppage, Kay Sipes, MEDC Chairman Chandler Russ, and Angelica Richards.