Recently Gov. Haley Barbour, and Alabama Gov. Bob Riley, announced an advanced job training program unlike any western Alabama or eastern Mississippi has seen.
Called the West Alabama, East Mississippi Alliance (WAEM), the new program will bring together eight learning institutions in the area, or region as it is referred to, in order to provide a virtual, Internet-based training system. State and college leaders from both states say this program will create a globally competitive region through the birth of an innovative, regional work force education and training system to address key skills.
“What this means to our work force in eastern Mississippi and western Alabama is much easier access to skills critical to obtaining high paying, technical jobs,” said Barbour Monday evening at the Young Professionals of Meridian meeting. “Training the work force will only prepare them for a better career and help convince industries to call eastern Mississippi and western Alabama their home.”
The region has lost in the recent past the opportunity to lure two major automobile industry giants, Toyota and Hyundai. Barbour said this initiative will only make future industries considering placing their operations in this region of the Southeast think long and hard before moving on elsewhere.
“The reason we didn’t get Hyundai was not because of the quality of our workers but rather because of the quantity,” Barbour said. “This program will increase the number of tech savvy workers in this area.”
College presidents, such as Neal Morrison of Bevill State Community College, said, “With the unemployment rate in Alabama less than four percent, we must look at qualifying those who are not normally involved in hi-tech manufacturing or who cannot attend a traditional setting, as well as those graduating from our secondary school system.”
“For our region to be competitive in the world economy, we must provide the means to develop the highly skilled work force that will be required to retain and attract jobs and industry to our region,” said East Central Mississippi Community College President Phil Sutphin.
The other colleges taking part in WAEM are, Alabama Southern, Shelton State and Wallace-Selma in Alabama, and East Mississippi, Jones County Junior College and Meridian Community College.
The new regional training system, to be employed by the eight colleges, will be supported by $4 million in WIRED investments to stand-up and upgrade advanced manufacturing training. Indiana-based Amatrol, who developed the WIRED system, has installations in more than 200 industrial, 2,000 college and 500 high school programs. The system provides students a way to learn modern and transportable skills that can be utilized in a variety of enterprises. Amatrol’s interactive multimedia courseware includes skills in hydraulics, electrical control, robotics, design processes, machine tools and much more.
Local News
Region becoming WIRED for job training
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In memory of those who died
A 21-gun salute is a common part of any Memorial Day program.
But the release of 21 snow white doves representing the peace we enjoy today because of those who have fallen in battle was a rare treat of the Second Annual Memorial Day Program held Monday afternoon at Magnolia Cemetery in Meridian. -
Choctaw Expressions to be showcased
The Mississippi Craft Center will present Choctaw Expressions as the featured cultural and historical exhibit for the month of June.
The presentation will showcase the rich and unique heritage of the Mississippi Choctaw Indians with traditional cultural arts and artifacts. The exhibition is set to open to the public on Friday, June 1 at 10 a.m. The Mississippi Craft Center, located in Ridgeland, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free admission and will highlight this unique event through June 30. -
Earth’s Bounty Festival Saturday
Residents in the Meridian area will have the opportunity to purchase locally grown or made products throughout the summer and fall through the Earth’s Bounty festival.
The expanded version of the current farmer's market will take place on the first Saturday of every month from June-November at Singing Brakeman Park in Meridian near Union Station. -
WWI soldier’s family receives Purple Heart
About three weeks before the end of WW I, two young officers with the 320 Machine Gun Battalion crept through the battered moonscape of France on a mission to find new positions for their weapons.
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Man dies of gunshot wound
Investigators with the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department are investigating a shooting incident that occurred Saturday morning in which one person died.
- Marriages & Divorces: Sunday, May 27, 2012
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Leading Edges uses technology to enhance advertising
If local advertising agency Leading Edges has its way, pretty soon you will be using your iPhone or iPad to bring its clients' ads to life.
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Meridian soldier to receive posthumous Purple Heart
- Partnership in place for safety blitz
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Keeping time with the Disabled American Veterans
When you are responsible for transporting area veterans to Jackson to meet their medical appointments, you better be on time.
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