Mississippi's Workforce Development Model

Being sector-based, data-driven, and regionally focused are three principles critical to achieving Governor Barbour's vision for Mississippi's workforce and improving economic competitiveness in the state and beyond.

Growing Economy

Sector-Based

The primary purpose of sector-based strategies is to provide an integrated, industry-sector focused system of education, training, and support services that encourages skill attainment and career pathway development for all workers.

Data-Driven

Data-driven strategies focus on effective and timely analysis of data to generate tailored information so that informed decisions can be made.

Regionally Focused

Regionally focused strategies result in the establishment of sustainable partnerships over a broad array of stakeholders that make data-driven decisions to support the present and future needs of employers and job seekers, make changes to improve delivery of services to employers and workers, industry practices, and public policies, and maintain the long-term economic competitiveness of the region.

Workforce Now and in the Future:
Innovative Approaches to Promote Economic Competitiveness

Initiatives promoting economic competitiveness through improving employability of workers and coordinated industry efforts must focus on:

  • Acting locally to compete globally
  • Going beyond arbitrary boundaries
  • Shifting attention from single employers to multiple employers
  • Engaging employers
  • Improving and expanding coordination among key stakeholders
  • Job quality and career path development
  • Being problem-oriented rather than program-oriented
  • Performance-based management
  • Linking education with workforce expectations
  • Developing and implementing short- and long-term plans for meeting goals