Building a Strong, Skilled Workforce on the Mississippi Gulf Coast I t's been over a year since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Mississippi Gulf Coast, clean up is nearly complete and the rebuilding process is well under way. Trained workers are in high demand for all segments of business and industry, and the need for workforce development in South Mississippi is more evident than ever. Schools, both public and private, and other organizations are stepping up to provide assistance for both job seekers and employers. These entities recognize the immediate need for skilled workers, but also realize the tremendous need that will occur in the future as the Gulf Coast continues to rebuild and grow. They offer a variety of services, programs and degrees to prepare students and workers for the diverse economy on the Coast. These workforce service providers include: Workforce Investment Network (WIN) Job Center    Created in accordance with the federal Workforce Investment Act, the WIN Job Center provides convenient, one- stop employment and training services to job seekers and employers. Job seekers can access job training, education and employment services, and employers can post job openings and get up- to- date information on the skills their workers will need to be competitive. For services not offered at the job center, information on where to obtain them is available. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC)    In addition to the 58 career/technical programs offered at MGCCC, it also administers workforce development and continuing education programs. Training is offered for specific work areas including information technology, geographic information systems, shipbuilding trades, health- related fields and the construction industry.    Also, to help fulfill the immediate need for skilled construction workers in South Mississippi, MGCCC partnered with the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, the Twin Districts Workforce Area, the Mississippi Construction Education Foundation and the Department of Labor to develop two innovative 160- hour training programs. Project Outreach teaches students construction basics and Project Retrain focuses on specific trades, like electrical, plumbing and heating and air conditioning. University of Southern Mississippi (USM)    USM's Gulf Park Campus was severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina, but rehabilitation of the campus was approved in June by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL). In addition, to meet the future education needs of the Gulf Coast region, the Board also approved initiation of securing 100 to 150 acres for the establishment of another campus to be run by USM. The nonresidential Gulf Park Campus offers bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, specialist's degrees and doctoral degrees. While the Gulf Park campus is being renovated, classes are being held at other teaching sites, many of which were also used before the hurricane, like Keesler Air Force Base and Stennis Space Center. Tulane University School of Continuing Studies    Tulane University School of Continuing Studies in Biloxi is the only school in South Mississippi to offer a bachelor of arts degree in casino/resort studies. Focusing on casino accounting, management and finance, the program prepares students to fill positions in the growing gaming industry on the Gulf Coast. Courses in the social sciences, media arts, business, organizational information technology and general studies are also offered at the Biloxi campus. Students may earn four- year degrees, two- year associate degrees or a variety of certificates. William Carey College    William Carey College offers a variety of academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Undergraduate degrees are offered in arts, fine arts, science, music, science in business, science in nursing and general studies. Graduate programs available include masters in education, business administration, science in psychology and science in nursing. Although William Carey's gulf front campus was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, classes are being held at alternative locations until a new campus is built. Keesler Medical Center    On June 16, the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMC) signed an agreement with the Air Force Medical Service to maintain medical residency programs at the Keesler Medical Center in Biloxi. The School of Medicine at UMC will oversee all four residency programs at Keesler - general surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics and obstetrics- gynecology. The agreement will allow civilian physicians to complete their residency training at Keesler and will allow the School of Medicine to increase class size by shifting training programs to the Coast. In turn, it is expected to increase the number of practicing physicians in South Mississippi and help rebuild the health care system in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina.    In addition to a strong, growing, skilled workforce, the Mississippi Gulf Coast has many other amenities to offer businesses looking to expand, relocate or start from scratch, like deep- water access to Gulf of Mexico shipping lanes, a foreign trade zone, fully developed industrial sites and significant GO Zone tax incentives. If you are interested in finding out more about these great amenities or the available workforce development programs, call the Harrison County Development Commission today.    Contact: Larry S. Barnett, Executive Director, 228- 896- 5020