Workforce Training and Development

Workforce Training and Development

About:

A new workforce training and development program for the Mississippi furniture industry will ensure future competitiveness for this manufacturing sector. Funded by a grant from the Department of Labor, the program is designed to help the furniture industry stay competitive in an increasingly intense global environment. Countries such as China enjoy several cost advantages over U.S. furniture manufacturers including low wage rates, fewer environmental and government regulations, and lower costs for expansion. As these countries continue to improve product quality and reduce transport times, the threat to U.S. manufacturers will intensify. In order to effectively compete in today’s environment, the furniture industry must make gains in product quality, production efficiency and service. Sponsored by Mississippi State University, Community Development Foundation and Itawamba Community College, the workforce training and development program is anticipated to improve employee attitudes, create higher retention rates and lessen absenteeism, as well as improving employee efficiency. Top executives from some of Mississippi’s leading furniture manufacturers provided specific direction on the workforce development and training needs of the industry. These executives indicated that the most pressing needs in workforce training were ergonomics, health and safety, leadership, motivation, and performance management. Additionally, interest surveys were mailed to 165 furniture manufacturers in the target area to gauge interest in specific training programs which included ergonomics, health and safety, lean manufacturing, product design, soft skills, and computer literacy. Employee participants will include those companies located within the target area of Alcorn, Benton, Calhoun, Chickasaw, Clay, Itawamba, Lafayette, Lee, Lowndes, Marshall, Monroe, Oktibbeha, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tippah, Tishomingo, and Union counties in Northeast Mississippi. Training courses will be provided by Itawamba Community College and Mississippi State University’s Forest and Wildlife Research Center and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

  • Communication
  • Computer Skills Training
  • Ergonomics
  • Goal Setting
  • Health Promotion
  • Leadership
  • Motivation
  • Problem Solving
  • Teamwork


Click below to expand the training options.

Computer Skills

Computer skills training will provide handson training in computer literacy and software packages such as Microsoft Word, Access, Excel, and Power Point.

Computer Skills Training
Name Hours Date Time Location
Total 7 courses
Microsoft® Excel 15-hour course Wednesdays
February 7 - March 7		 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. AEC Lab 1B
Microsoft® Word 15-hour course Wednesdays
March 21 - April 18		 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. AEC Lab 1B
Microsoft® PowerPoint 6 hour course Mondays
March 20, 27 		1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. AEC Lab 1B
Introduction to
Computers/Basic
Windows		 12 hour course Mondays
May 1-22		 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. AEC Lab 1B
Microsoft®
Comprehensive Access		 15 hour course TBA TBA TBA
Microsoft® Advanced
Excel		 9 hour course TBA TBA TBA
Microsoft® Advanced
Word		 8 hour course TBA TBA TBA

Ergonomics & Health Promotion

Ergonomics and employee health promotion which will provide a comprehensive health promotion program.

Ergonomics & Health Promotion Training
Name Hours Date Time Location
Total 6 courses
Introduction to
Ergonomics		 2-hour course Thursday, February 1 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. AEC 101
Furniture Industry
Ergonomics		 2-hour course Thursday, February 15 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. AEC 101
Musculoskeletal
Disorders		 3-hour course Thursday, March 1 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. AEC 101
Back Injuries
 2-hour course Thursday, March 22 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. AEC 101
Workplace Design I 2-hour course Thursday, April 12 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. AEC 101
Workplace Design II 2-hour course Thursday, April 26 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. AEC 101

A comprehensive health promotion pilot program will be implemented on-site and will stress exercise, nutrition, obesity and diabetes prevention, stress management, health screenings, and tobacco cessation programs.

Soft Skills

Soft skills training which will include communication, leadership, motivation, teamwork, goal setting, and problem solving.

Ergonomics & Health Promotion Training
Name Hours Date Time Location
Total 6 courses
Problem Solving 4-hour course Wednesday, February 7 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. AEC Leadership Skills Lab
Goal Setting 4-hour course Wednesday, February 21 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. AEC Leadership Skills Lab
Teamwork 4-hour course Wednesday, March 7 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. AEC Leadership Skills Lab
Motivation
 4-hour course Wednesday, March 21 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. AEC Leadership Skills Lab
Leadership 4-hour course Wednesday, April 4 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
AEC Leadership Skills Lab
Communication 4-hour course Wednesday, April 18 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. AEC Leadership Skills Lab