Empowering Individuals. Supporting Employers. Building Our Region.
At Central Mississippi Planning and Development District (CMPDD), we lead the South Central Mississippi Works (SCMW) workforce area — ensuring that local residents gain the skills and credentials they need, while helping employers find, train, and retain the talent they need to grow and thrive.
Through a coordinated network of programs that serve job seekers, students, and employers, we’re building stronger, more resilient communities across central and southwest Mississippi.
Our Regional Role
In partnership with Southwest Mississippi Planning and Development District, CMPDD administers the SCMW Workforce Area — connecting 17 counties through WIN Job Centers, training providers, employers, and schools.
We believe workforce development is more than filling job openings. It’s about creating opportunity, aligning skills with industry demand, and improving wages and quality of life for the people and communities we serve.
For Job Seekers & Students
Whether you’re just starting your career journey, looking to upskill, or ready to make a change, we’re here to help you take that next step.
- Career Services: Free assessments to identify your skills and interests, career planning, interview preparation, job-search support and digital literacy training.
- Reconnect Career Training: Short-term, focused training in high-demand careers (such as electrician, HVAC, heavy-equipment operator) — with a stipend during training and a clear pathway to employment.
- Apprenticeship Programs: Earn while you learn — combine on-the-job experience and classroom instruction, gain nationally-recognized credentials and build a career in one of the region’s priority sectors.
- Training Scholarships / Individual Training Accounts (ITAs): Financial support for tuition, books, fees and other costs to help you access the training needed for in-demand jobs.
- Internship & On-the-Job Training (OJT): Build real work experience, often with support from SCMW, bridging the gap between training and permanent employment.
- Career Coaches: Personalized guidance embedded in high schools and WIN Job Centers, helping students and adults explore career pathways and training options.
For Employers
Your success drives regional growth. CMPDD and SCMW partner with businesses to help recruit, train, and retain the skilled workforce you need.
- Recruitment & Upskilling: Access programs that support hiring and training, including reimbursement for a portion of employee training wages.
- Apprenticeship Development: Design paid, structured apprenticeship programs with clear skill progression, credentials, and talent pipelines tailored to your industry.
- Competitiveness Review: Receive a no-cost, one-day evaluation of your operations — covering process improvement, workforce systems, Industry 4.0 readiness, and workplace culture — to identify opportunities for growth.
- Internships & OJT: Host interns or trainees through programs that reduce hiring risk and strengthen your future workforce.
From advanced manufacturing and construction to IT, energy, logistics, healthcare, and agribusiness — we’re ready to connect your business to the resources and skilled talent you need.
How to Get Started
- For Job Seekers: Explore training opportunities, meet with a Career Coach, or visit your nearest WIN Job Center.
- For Employers: Contact our Business Engagement team to learn how apprenticeships, wage reimbursement, or competitiveness reviews can benefit your organization.
- For More Information: Visit scmw.info to learn more about programs, services, and success stories.
South Central Mississippi Works Local Workforce Development Plan (2024–2028)
The South Central Mississippi Works (SCMW) Local Workforce Development Plan outlines a comprehensive strategy to meet the region’s evolving workforce needs over the next four years. Developed in alignment with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and in collaboration with regional partners, this plan provides a roadmap to strengthen the talent pipeline, support local employers, and connect job seekers with high-quality employment and training opportunities. Covering a 17-county region, the plan emphasizes industry-aligned education, equitable access to services, and coordinated efforts to drive economic growth and workforce development across the SCMW region.
