PASCAGOULA, Miss. (WLOX) – Tuesday, the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) announced it was awarded $5.7 million as part of over $86 million in Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund grants.
The grants come from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to support workforce development in critical sectors, including shipbuilding.
Administered through the DOL’s Employment and Training Administration, the grants will reimburse employers for training in high-demand and emerging industries, addressing critical workforce needs in fields such as welding, marine electrical work, and manufacturing.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves said this money will help the state’s shipbuilding industry grow and continue for years to come.
“Mississippi plays a vital role in national defense and commercial maritime strength,” Reeves said. “Our state is home to the best shipbuilders on the planet, and we want even more Mississippians to enter this high-paying field.”
Leonard Bentz, the Executive Director of the Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District (SMPDD), said the state is proud to be selected to receive the grant.
“This grant allows us to scale what works, introduce innovative training strategies, and prepare our people for the industries that are driving economic growth,” Bentz said.
Mississippi intends to use the grant exclusively for shipbuilding, expanding training programs for major employers like Ingalls Shipbuilding, Bollinger Shipyards, and United States Marine, Inc.
Mississippi intends to use the grant exclusively for shipbuilding, expanding training programs for major employers like Ingalls Shipbuilding, Bollinger Shipyards, and United States Marine, Inc.(HII)
Mississippi intends to use the grant exclusively for shipbuilding, expanding training programs for major employers like Ingalls Shipbuilding, Bollinger Shipyards, and United States Marine, Inc.(WLOX)
MDES says this investment comes at a critical time, as these companies anticipate a need to fill 2,500 new positions annually while also addressing turnover and retaining employees.
Ingalls Shipbuilding spokesperson Kimberly Aguillard said the company is encouraged by the federal investment.
“At Ingalls, we are fully committed to meeting this demand through ongoing investments in training and development for both entry-level roles and future leaders,” Aguillard said. “This support will directly address critical workforce needs and we look forward to working with our regional and state partners to further strengthen and evolve training in these essential areas.”
Aguillard thanked Governor Tate Reeves, MDES, SMPDD and Accelerate Mississippi for their dedication to developing a skilled workforce in the state.
The Twin Districts Local Workforce Development Area, managed by SMPDD, will implement tailored training programs based on feedback from employers. Key initiatives will focus on technical training for entry-level positions, leadership development for supervisors, and programs to support long-term careers in the industry.
MDES says Mississippi’s initiative aligns with statewide goals to enhance workforce readiness and strategically supports shipbuilding, a vital sector for national defense and economic growth.
For further details, please visit www.mdes.ms.gov.
See a spelling or grammar error in this story? Report it to our team HERE.
Copyright 2025 WLOX. All rights reserved.