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Workforce training moving closer to business.

Article Excerpt
George Walker, chairman of the State Board for Community and Junior Colleges, knows from personal experience the value of workforce training in Mississippi. He moved to the state from Massachusetts to start Delta Wire Corp. in Clarksdale.

"Essentially the industry I brought into Clarksdale was totally foreign to the specific area, the Delta, and even the greater area of the state," Walker said. "The way we became a very successful company was through training specifically for our industry, because there was no existing line of trained people we could employ in the area. We had to hire people from the area, and train them specifically for responsibilities which were uncommon in the Delta and in the state."

Delta Wire Corp. did the training in partnership with Coahoma Community College and other community colleges. Walker was impressed with the way the community college system geared up to teach the new skills, taking steps like sending teachers out-of-state to learn how to teach the skill sets that were needed.

"It was very successful," Walker said. "The State of Mississippi came through. This training was exactly what we needed. The company remains successful today even with the diminution of manufacturing in the state and in the nation. The start of that training, which has continued, has totally insured the success and survival of Delta Wire.

Believing in training

"So, I'm a believer in workforce education. I think that is the biggest thing we can do to bring jobs to Mississippi. I've seen it happen not just at Delta Wire. I have seen it happen a number of times with other companies. The difference...

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