“These individuals who graduated yesterday, not only did they get their certifications, they also each got stipends of $500 a piece, and this is free training,” he said. One graduate was offered and accepted a $25 per hour job before he graduated the program.
“Locally, we have so much opportunity for us right now. Just last weekend, a job search on the Glassdoor job app showed within a 35 mile radius of Natchez, 1,300 jobs are available,” he said. “We have got to ramp up workforce development like never before, because we need qualified employees to take all of the jobs available now in our area.
“Now we’ve got to talk about the future. Tuwanna Williams has done an outstanding job and I’m excited that Co-Lin recognized this and brought her on to direct these programs now for all of southwest Mississippi,” Gibson said. “… Why would the city want to do anything that compete(s) with our local community college? It’s all about partnerships, and this partnership has really been working for the city, the county, the school board, for Co-Lin, even Alcorn and area employers and Natchez Inc. It’s been a real success story.”
Gibson proposed that the city, county and school board now partner with Co-Lin for workforce development in southwest Mississippi.
He said he has had preliminary conversations with officials at the Delta Regional Authority, which has provided grant funds. That agency said grant funding could be re-directed to flow through Co-Lin.
Gibson asked aldermen to entertain a motion that the City of Natchez begin the process of moving toward a collaboration and partnership for workforce development with Copiah-Lincoln Community College and hire an interim director for a few months to manage the process of making this partnership happen according to the dictates of national and state partners, especially as it pertains to grants. Aldermen made and approved that motion.
After an executive session at the end of the meeting, aldermen emerged and hired Germany for the job.