Career, Technical and Workforce honors area businesses and industries

Co-Lin Career, Technical and Workforce Education Division recognized three businesses and industries for their service and partnership at the Business and Industry Appreciation Breakfast held at The Thames Center on the college’s Wesson Campus. The annual appreciation event is an opportunity to honor district businesses or organizations that have provided exceptional support for Co-Lin students and programs.

This year, the President’s Award, was presented to Copiah County Medical Center (CCMC). CCMC has partnered with the college’s career and technical and workforce education center. On the career-technical side, their employees have always given generously of their time to serve on advisory committees and the hospital has served as a clinical site any time they were asked. The workforce project covers their in-house training, whether taught by their own staff or one of Co-Lin’s employees. When called upon, they have served workforce as a clinical site for training classes.

Receiving a Special Recognition Award was Waters International Trucks of Natchez. Upon the startup of the diesel technology program on the Natchez Campus in 2015, Waters International Trucks has been a strong supporter and partner to the college. They have been involved on the advisory council, as well as onsite visits to the classroom to provide input in training. They have supported the program through offering equipment and resources to assist our students in developing the necessary skills needed for workplace success. Waters International has also been an advocate in the Co-Lin district for more career-technical programs in secondary education.

Also receiving a Special Recognition Award was PriorityOne Bank in Simpson County. For almost a decade, PriorityOne Bank has been a partner with the college. They are committed to training their employees utilizing on ground and online classes. PriorityOne was one of the first employers to step up and support Simpson County’s effort in becoming an ACT Certified Work Ready Community. They were enthusiastic about this initiative and how it could benefit their business.

Special thanks go to all who made this year’s Pathways Job Fair and the Business and Industry Appreciation Breakfast possible, including Bracken Companies, Copiah County Medical Center, Empire Truck Sales, FLSmidth, Haven Hall Healthcare Center, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Georgia-Pacific, King’s Daughters Medical Center, Peterbilt Truck Center, Pike National Bank, PriorityOne Bank, Regions Bank, Rex Lumber Brookhaven, LLC, Sheldon Laboratory Systems, SuperTalk Southwest Mississippi, and Trustmark Bank.

For more information about Co-Lin’s Workforce Education Division, contact 601.643.8707.

CUTLINE: Ben Lott, Chief Executive Officer (center) accepts the President’s Award for Copiah County Medical Center in Hazlehurst. Presenting the award were Dr. Ronnie Nettles, President (right) and Jackie Martin, Dean of Career, Technical and Workforce Education.