Reeves proposes $100 million workforce development initiative

BELDEN, Miss. (WCBI) – A candidate for Mississippi governor has unveiled a workforce development plan that is aimed at increasing the number of skilled workers coming out of community colleges and institutes of higher learning.

Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves, who is running for governor, made the announcement in a robotics lab at ICC’s Belden Campus.

The plan to make Mississippi a “Ready to Work” state includes $75 million for career training programs at colleges.

It would also bring computer science classes to K-12 classrooms across the state.

Reeves said the emphasis on career and technical training will impact the entire state.

“One of the things we have to focus on if we are going to continue to grow our economy, is we have got to improve per capita income of our citizens, for that to occur, our citizens will have to learn more and more skills, become better trained in jobs that are paying higher wages, we have got so many great manufacturers in this part of our state that are doing great things and they are looking for workers every day,” Reeves said.

The total cost of Reeves’ proposal is $100 million.

He says that can be funded through the Capitol Expense Fund, without borrowing money.

Primaries are set for August 6th. Reeves faces Bill Waller and Robert Foster in the Republican primary.