9/29/2006 - Workforce training survey to be conducted in October

Grant program asssessing workforce training needs of Mississippi manufacturers Phase one of MMA’s workforce training initiative is on target to begin next month. Beginning the first week in October, manufacturers from across the state will be surveyed about their workforce development needs and related issues impacting the manufacturing community. The survey will be conducted by Mississippi State University’s Social Science Research Center. It is expected to be completed by the end of 2006 and will be provided to Mississippi policymakers so that services can better accommodate the needs of the state’s manufacturers. All responses to the survey will remain confidential. “The key factor of this project is that it is being developed with direct input from manufacturers,” said Jay C. Moon, MMA president and CEO. “I encourage every manufacturer contacted for the survey to take the time to give us your opinion and share your experiences. We want and need your input in order to make this project of the greatest value to manufacturers. “I also request that you take the time to identify the most appropriate individual in your company to respond to the survey.” Manufacturing is a major component of Mississippi’s economy. The state has more than 2,700 manufacturers employing approximately 172,000 individuals, or approximately 16 percent of the total workforce. Annual manufacturing payroll is $5.2 billion. It is essential to the state’s future economic success that the manufacturing community remains vital and that assistance is provided to facilitate this outcome. MMA’s three-phase program comes under the auspices of a grant from the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. Following the survey phase of the project, phase two will consist of a pilot program developed in conjunction with a Mississippi university to identify, market and deploy the technical resources and capabilities available to manufacturers from that institution. Phase two will also determine how the services of Mississippi’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP.ms) can be enhanced to further assist the state’s small- and medium-sized manufacturers. The final phase will address the future needs for a skilled workforce in the state through a pilot program in collaboration with the Mississippi Department of Education. This program will seek to inform and attract students to the variety of challenging and rewarding careers available in manufacturing. MMA has engaged Global Strategies Inc. to manage all phases of this project. If you have questions about the upcoming survey or have comments concerning workforce training in your company, please contact Jay Moon, 601.948.1222, or Mike Larsen, 601.750.2209. PHOTO: Mississippi State University professor Dr. Domenico (Mimmo) Parisi, standing, facilitates a workforce training focus group at the MMA building Sept. 20. Information collected from the focus group by the MSU Social Science Research Center will be used to assess the workforce training needs of Mississippi’s manufacturers.

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