Workforce Training and Services

The following describes the approximate value of services and training available at the State’s WIN Job Centers and 15 community and junior colleges.
 
Recruitment and Job Referral and Placement

Workforce partners assist businesses in recruiting potential workers through traditional recruitment activities and web-based resume matching.

Applicant/Employee Assessment

Community Colleges can assist a business through their performance appraisal processes. An array of assessment tools can be used for a quick, confidential evaluation of an applicant’s work-related and/or academic skills. Work skills aptitude assessments include verbal, numerical and spatial aptitudes, nonverbal reasoning, form perception, clerical perception and color discrimination. Assessments may also include performance surveys designed to project employee work ethics, reliability and motivational components.

Pre-Employment Training

Pre-employment training matches candidates with specific jobs. Candidates must successfully complete a specific training curriculum developed by the business and college training professionals. The curriculum may include work ethics, appropriate dress, work expectations, and technical skill requirements. Candidates who do not meet training requirements, such as those who receive low scores on attendance and cooperation, may be identified prior to interviews and hiring.

Customized Training

Customized training is designed to meet a specific business need.  It includes curriculum and material development as well as instruction. Funding is available through project agreements with the Community Colleges for Workforce Enhancement Training Fund administered by the State Board for Community and Junior Colleges. Appropriate financial documentation is required.

Industry-Based Training

A business may be reimbursed for up to $35 per hour of training conducted by the industry for the industry when the college does not provide the training.

Values will vary based on training needs.

Leased Equipment

A business may be reimbursed for equipment leased for training purposes. Such equipment may not be used for production or profit.
   
Values will vary based on training equipment needs.
 
Train-the-Trainer

A business may be reimbursed for limited travel costs associated with training employees in a discipline not currently available through the local community college.  Such reimbursement may apply to no more than two (2) individuals to attend the same training in a non-production area and no more than four (4) individuals per production training area. Travel costs comply with project rules and limits. A business may be reimbursed for up to $20,000 per fiscal year for allowable, approved travel costs.
   
Project Support

The community college will assign a knowledgeable representative to work with the business to assist with matching training needs with available resources. The project manager document visits, training needs and plans, and training activities and will coordinate reimbursements.

WIN On-the-Job Training (OJT) Reimbursement

Mississippi’s Workforce Investment Network (WIN) Job Centers can help offset training costs for new employees through the WIN On-the-Job Training (OJT) activity. Businesses may be reimbursed for up to half of a new employee’s wages while the employee learns the job, on the job.

OJT Participant Criteria:

Employees covered by an OJT agreement must be unemployed or underemployed (Employed earning less than a locally established self-sufficient wage, $12 to $18 per hour depending on location.) as determined by the WIN Job Center.

Training Rules:

Reimbursement depends on the wages paid to new employees and the length of training.
The length of training is negotiated based on the skills necessary to perform the job(s) and the new employees’ existing skills.
Limited to no more than 50% of the total workforce or new hires.
The maximum length of training is limited to no more than six months or 1000 hours.
Businesses that relocate and lay off workers at another location may not receive an OJT for 120 days after relocating.
Other OJT rules and record keeping requirements can be obtained from the WIN Job Center.
Note: To reduce the record keeping burden some areas have flat-rate, fixed-price reimbursement of OJT.

Value is dependent of the wages and allowable training period.

Reimbursement Example:
OJT Benefit Example (Per Job)

Job Title	Hourly Wage	Maximum Training Hours	Maximum OJT Reimbursement
Inspector	$8.00	800	$3,200
Machine Operator	$10.00	960	$4,800
Team Leader	$12.00	1,040	$6,240

The information provided above does not represent a commitment of funds. The community college and/or WIN Job Center will work with the company to develop and negotiate a training and service plan and funding agreement.

For more information, contact Wanda Land at wland@mississippi.org.

 

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