10/1/2015

Awareness key to building Mississippi’s future workforce

    Gov. Bryant has proclaimed the week of Oct. 11 as Careers in Energy Week. Events like this help address a major need for Mississippi: raising awareness for middle-skill career opportunities. Other established resources, like the Mississippi Energy Institute’s Get On The Grid (getonthegridms.com) and the Mississippi Economic Council’s Scholars and TechMasters programs, recognize the demand for more STEM-based workforce development.
    Mississippi’s four hottest industries this year, ranked in order, are oil and natural gas operations, utilities, construction and manufacturing.  In order to keep up with demand, each of these industries is fighting over the same skilled workers. Welders, plant operators and machinery technicians are incredible versatile, able to succeed in any one of these four fast-growing sectors.
    Fortunately, these middle-skill positions are in high demand. In 2012, 54 percent of available jobs across the nation were for middle-skill workers, compared to only 31 percent for high-skill and 15 percent for low-skill. Experts predict that middle-skill jobs will continue to dominate the marketplace through 2022, holding strong at 49 percent of total workforce demand.
    The numbers look even better here at home in Mississippi. In 2012, 59 percent of available jobs required mid-level skills, while only 26 percent required high-level skills and 15 percent required low-level skills. Again, experts predict that, by 2022, Mississippi will beat the national average demand for middle-skill workers at a steady 55 percent.
    Unfortunately, we do not currently have a workforce prepared to meet our industries’ needs.  As stated, 59 percent of available jobs in 2012 were at the middle-skill level; however, only 50 percent of available workers met those requirements—meaning some of the hottest jobs in the state went unfilled.
    This is especially disappointing when you realize that middle-skill, high-tech positions pay much better than their more traditional counterparts. In 2013 in Mississippi, those graduating from a two-year public school with an applied science degree made 50 percent more than those graduating with a liberal arts degree. Despite this huge pay gap, only 16 percent of students enrolled in an applied science program, while 73 percent continued into a liberal arts program.
    With these factors at play, awareness of middle-skill jobs among younger students is now imperative. Companies across the state—including your electric power association—are dedicated to a homegrown workforce, and therefore are becoming involved in community educational activities to encourage awareness of all career opportunities.
    For example, Mississippi Economic Council has dedicated the Mississippi Scholars and Mississippi Scholars TechMaster programs to encouraging students to pursue STEM-based, rigorous academic standards in order to become more college- and career-ready.
    For Careers in Energy Week, the Mississippi Energy Workforce Consortium and the Mississippi Energy Institute will be traveling to classrooms throughout the state, introducing students to young workers from the local area and giving a relatable face to their opportunities. Also, Get On The Grid
(getonthegridms.com) is an online resource for students and teachers highlighting the top careers across energy, advanced manufacturing and construction trades.
    But these efforts are just the start of building our state’s qualified workforce. Parents and companies must begin these conversations with students and schools to build awareness and redefine the path to the “American Dream.” A “two-cars-and-a-boat” job doesn’t have to come with student debt or a desk career. Use the resources available, ask about becoming involved in a career exploration program and invest in the future of your Mississippi. Help spread the word to Mississippi’s future workforce about the opportunities that will give them the quality of life they want and deserve.

Click here to view entire news archive.