Jackson County holds National Apprenticeship Week Luncheon
November 15th through the 21st is the seventh annual National Apprenticeship Week.
In celebration of the first-year achievements of the Jackson County Apprenticeship Program and National Apprenticeship Week, representatives from across the county gathered for a luncheon at the Pascagoula Gautier College and Career Technical Institute. Jackson County Chamber of Commerce President Paige Roberts said, “We have four official apprenticeships through the Department of Labor here, but we also have some other programs that are apprenticeship like. We have great partnerships between the industries and the education entities.”
Roberts says earning while learning is the name of the game, which is exactly what those enrolled in apprenticeships do. “There is a way for every individual to connect their passion to a purpose and then a paycheck. And the opportunities are so numerous in Jackson County. We’ve heard from employees who sold cars or who tried work in one field – a lot of them waited tables. Then they found their apprenticeship program through one of our employers here in Jackson County and it changed their lives.”
Singing River is the first in Mississippi to provide healthcare apprenticeship opportunities in the state of Mississippi. Human Resources Program Specialist Deano Harrison says their program has grown to include 48 apprenticeships since starting in January. “Some of our students that are part of the workforce sitting out there have commitments and they have not been able to quit work to go to school. So, we’re giving them that earn while you learn capability. These folks are now with full time jobs, learning a new trade and going forth in the health care industry and I will tell you they are excited. We get about 30 to 40 calls a day about our program.”
