GRANTEE:                   Hinds County WIB

ADDRESS:                  420 E. Woodrow Wilson Drive

                             Jackson, MS 39216

AMOUNT:                    $1,420,010

DURATION:                April 1, 2003 – April 1, 2005 (24 months)

POPULATION SERVED:         The consortium's goal is to prepare 135 existing IT workers at Saks and Cytec and build a pathway for 80 dislocated workers to enter the IT field.  The consortium will broaden the pool of workers to receive training to include a diverse population of minorities, women, and other populations not typically reached by the IT industry.  It is expected that a diverse population of the incumbent workers including minorities and women can expect equal consideration for training opportunities and future advancement within their companies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION:  As part of the ambitious efforts made by this grant, skills planned will include courses under one of six tracks:  Web Development, Client/Server Applications, Client/Server Certifications, Database Administration, Mainframe Programming, and IT Project Management.  A variety of training methods and options will be utilized, given the number of courses and job classifications, but will primarily focus on instructor-led training, provided by Hinds Community College and Jackson State University, and State approved e-learning vendors.  Flexible scheduling of classes will be made available to the greatest extent possible, so as to maximize the learning potential of trainees.

KEY PARTICIPANTS:   Hinds County WIB, Hinds County One-Stop Center, Saks, Cytec, Hinds County Community College, Jackson State University.

MEDIA CONTACT:           Lynn Thomas 601-368-2929