Workforce Education and Training

Overview

The Workforce Education and Training section researches and develops all education and training curricula, media, and supplements for secondary and postsecondary career and technical education as well as industrial training and support for the state of Mississippi. This section also provides the necessary training and support for career and technical educator licensure. The section is organized with coordinators, project managers, specialists, and support staff. It is a cross-functional work environment in which products are developed and services are rendered in collaboration. Workforce education curricula and media are in alignment with specific workforce needs, Mississippi and state or national industry certifications, and preparation for postsecondary or adult education.

Three coordinators are assigned to this section: agriculture and special I\initiatives coordinator, workforce education coordinator, and workforce training coordinator. The coordinators serve as the liaisons between the RCU and the sponsoring agencies, local education agencies, and/or business and industry. They determine the scope and design of products and services and ensure high-quality publication in line with the MDE and SBCJC state boards, product standards, and MSU policies and procedures. They supervise specialists and support staff and provide oversight of all products and services. Coordinators’ roles will expand to include a more focused effort on obtaining funding from external sources dedicated to workforce education and training as well as developing stronger partnerships with like-minded research and service entities and governmental agencies.

Project managers are assigned to the following areas in this section: online learning, professional learning, and curriculum. Project managers oversee the workflow of all products and services ensuring timelines are reasonable and deadlines are met. They also design and deliver training or curricula when needed.

The curriculum project manager is responsible for assisting the Curriculum Coordinator in the research, design, and delivery of all curriculum documents, supplements, and training. The online learning project manager is responsible for overseeing the delivery of more than 100 online courses for educators to receive continuing education units (CEUs) and/or School Executive Management Institute units (SEMIs) for licensure renewal. The professional learning project manager is responsible for overseeing the delivery of the Vocational Instructor Preparation licensure program, Blackboard Learning System Administration, and face-to-face training and statewide career and technical events.

instructional design specialists (IDSs) are assigned to each of the seven Mississippi Career Cluster areas for workforce education and to the area of postsecondary. IDSs are responsible for demonstrating expertise in their assigned cluster areas, research and technical writing skills, and professional learning standards. They are required to work in collaboration with MDE’s Office of Vocational Education and Workforce Development Career Cluster program supervisors and RCU assessment specialists to develop workforce education products for secondary and postsecondary career and technical centers and locations.

An e-learning specialist, videographer, and educational technologist are assigned to provide the training needs of Mississippi’s business and industry. They are responsible for working with subject matter experts in the field to provide customized workforce development training in electronic, digital, and print formats. They also work collaboratively with the SBCJC to deliver statewide workforce development events. The workforce assistant provides administrative support to the Workforce Education and Training section of the RCU. The workforce assistant is responsible for managing the PDXPress data management system and coordination of all on-site and remote training facilities.