Program Tiger Apprenticeship Program helps students apply to local companies

BOONEVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Getting that first job right out of college can be tough.

Employers often are looking for workers with experience, and that can be a challenge for college students or recent graduates.

One local community college is trying to help match students with possible future employers.

Like his fellow classmates, Caleb Melton would like to find a part-time job that relates to his field of study at Northeast Mississippi Community College.

Melton and other students were able to talk with representatives from several local companies under one roof at Interview Day for NEMCC’s Tiger Apprenticeship Program.

“Get in there, get your foot in the door, hand them a resume, look them in the eye, be able to talk with them, hopefully, land a job,” said Melton.

“It would be great on my resume, I can tell you that, it could be great for future employers to know that I’m trustworthy in a job even in a school where there’s going to be a lot of hectic scheduling, I can still get things done and have that work ethic while I’m busy,” said NEMCC student Chelsea Wilburn.

The program also allows companies like New Albany based VIP Seating to focus on future workforce needs.

“We’re trying to design new product for VIP, get new ideas for engineering and CAD design, looking to expand our product overseas and domestically, trying to see if we have anyone at Northeast who might be interested in our program and we feel like if we do it would be a win-win for the college and our company,” said Johnny Anderson, with VIP Cinema Seating.

Companies hiring students through the Tiger Apprenticeship Program will get reimbursed for up to half of the student’s salary, as much as $6,000 each year.

“We also think it’s a win for Northeast because our instructors in various programs get to meet with these industry partners and they get to help us tailor our curriculum to make sure we’re teaching students what they need to know,” said Jason Mattox, with Career and Technical Education at NEMCC.

After the interview sessions, some students were offered spots with companies in the apprenticeship program.

A Signing Day will be held in the middle of November for those students who accept jobs through the Tiger Apprenticeship Program.