Video: New Partnership Helps Students Gain Valuable Skills And Certification

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Pastors of Tupelo area churches are partnering with Itawamba Community College in an effort to help those with criminal records, or who have fallen on hard times, get valuable training for a career in the construction field.

Pastors and faith leaders met with representatives from ICC’s “Workforce Development Center” to learn details about a new partnership.

Churches, or other organizations, can sponsor a student and send them through the course called “Pathway to Employment in Construction.”

That 64 hour program covers a lot of topics to help students get a head start in the construction field.

Also, a number of businesses have agreed to hire graduates of the program, who have been convicted of felonies, and looking for a chance to prove themselves.

“There are eleven modules, that include blueprint reading, using power tools, hand tools, precision measurements, basic math, communication skills, we try to prepare our students to not only graduate the program but successfully enter the workforce,” said Tatiana Sherman, a coordinator with ICC Workforce Development.

“I think this is really a chance for people to get a good start, a new start, in life because the next great contractor could come out of this group of men and women who are about to go through these programs,” said Kevin Armstrong, pastor of King’s Dome Worship Center.

Some companies that take part in the program include Century Construction,  Jesco, and F L Crane And Sons.

For more information on the program, call 662 407 1523 or email ticiprowski@iccms.edu