MDE partners with The Skills Foundation of Mississippi to promote high-demand skills training

The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) today announced a public-private partnership with The Skills Foundation of Mississippi to encourage Mississippi students to seek high-demand careers, right here in our state.

The Skills Foundation, a non-profit formed by a coalition of businesses with the goal of pushing more people into high-demand, high-pay careers, has developed a comprehensive resource called Get on the Grid to serve as Mississippi’s Virtual Guidance Counselor. Get on the Grid, found at GetontheGridMS.com, educates students on the highest demand career options and directs them to applicable training or education institutions.

“As the Mississippi Department of Education prepares students for success after high school, we want our students to know more about the myriad great career options in the modern economy,” said Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education, “Get on the Grid is a readily available online resource pointing students toward some of the best options in the workforce today and tomorrow. We’re pleased to work with the business community on this for the benefit of our students and the betterment of the state’s economy.”

Get on the Grid highlights high-demand careers statewide and by region. Industry sectors featured on the site include energy, healthcare, information technology, logistics, and manufacturing. The site guides students through various career paths and gives a job overview, salary comparison, and directs them to training locations at community colleges or universities. With more than 40 career options highlighted among the five sectors, there are options for every interest.

“Businesses across Mississippi are clamoring for skilled workers, and all too often our students and parents aren’t aware of the high-demand jobs right here in our state,” said Amy Walker, board chair for the Skills Foundation, “The best way to reach students today is to go where they are – on their devices. Get on the Grid does just that through a targeted digital outreach strategy. Partnering with our schools across the state to ensure they have access to Get on the Grid is an easy way to help students, teachers, and counselors become more aware of the best opportunities available to Mississippians.”

MDE Press Release

10/11/19