CHOCTAW, Miss. — Brian Robinson’s National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Electrical Core Curriculum class had breakfast and a visit from Chief Cyrus Ben to show appreciation for their work and determination in class. Students include Michael Bell, Harley Briscoe, Lance Gibson, Dominic Hernandez, Douglas Hickman, Shaunrey Jefferson, Tristen Steve, Stephen Wallace, Warren Wesley, Jimmy Ray Williams, Degotto Willis, Simeon Willis, and Junaluska Wilson.
Chief Ben spoke to the students stating, “There are not enough people to do the type of job you are currently training for.” NCCER News collaborates this information stating, “The fact is there are not enough skilled electricians in the construction industry” and taking into consideration, there will be “potentially 300,000 Baby Boomers retiring,” we need more electricians. There is a skilled labor gap nation-wide and the MBCI is tackling this problem locally. Chief Ben spoke about workforce development and the need for more trained and skilled workers. The students listened intently while Chief Ben gave encouragement to continue.
One supervisor stated that more maintenance employees needed this class due to the basic solid foundation of safety and communication. Another supervisor said he had more employees wanting to attend the class but could not let all of them go or they would be short-handed.
The NCCER core curriculum class is a prerequisite before going into any NCCER skills training such as HVAC, Electrical, Carpentry, Welding, Plumbing, etc. Therefore, if you have never taken any NCCER classes before, you will need to take this class.
For more information about NCCER classes or to fill out an application and placed on a waiting list, please contact Sarah Medlock at 601-663-7585 at the Office of Economic Development.
Choctaw Employment Advantage Offers Discounts to Businesses Partnering with the MBCI
CHOCTAW, Miss. – Choctaw Employment Advantage, a new incentive program provided by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, offers rental discounts to commercial tenants leasing Tribal buildings. Businesses that lease space on Choctaw Tribal lands are eligible for...
Choctaw Economic Development Website Wins International Economic Development Award
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the largest nonprofit professional association for professional economic developers in the world, has selected the recipients of its 2022 Excellence Awards. Recognized each year during the IEDC...
Mississippi Choctaws Receive Federal Grant to Develop Workforce Training Center
CHOCTAW, Miss. -- U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $5.8 million grant to the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians for the construction of the Advanced Workforce Training...
Tribe Receives Grant Award for Broadband Connectivity
CHOCTAW, Miss. – (August 19, 2022) – The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians has received an $8.43 million Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) grant award from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to fund the Tribe’s broadband...
Fast Start Class Begins August 15, 2022
The fourth Fast Start entrepreneurial class, hosted by the Choctaw Office of Economic Development, will begin August 15, 2022. Venture Incubator brings this class to the Tribe, and it provides six weeks of training for small business owners and those thinking of...
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Provides Cyber Awareness Training to Tribal Employees
CHOCTAW, Mississippi -- Employees of various businesses within the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians recently received cyber awareness training in the Tribe's state-of-the-art cybersecurity lab located in Choctaw, Mississippi. The classes were free to participants...
University of Southern Mississippi Provides Training to Tribal Employees in Choctaw Cybersecurity Lab
CHOCTAW, Mississippi -- Employees of Choctaw companies and school systems are receiving workforce development training through The University of Southern Mississippi's School of Computing Sciences and Computer Engineering. These classes are taking place in the...
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Joins Tribal Land Conservation Initiative
CHOCTAW, Mississippi -- The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians announces that it is joining the Tribal Land Conservation Initiative, a national program that enables Native American tribes to implement sustainable management practices to preserve their land, protect...
MEC Leadership MS Alumni, 2020-2021 Students, and Honored Guests Meet in Choctaw
The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (MBCI) hosted the Mississippi Economic Council (MEC) Leadership MS Alumni, 2020-2021 students, and honored guests on October 21, 2021, in a “Meet and Greet” at the Silver Star Hotel & Casino. The meeting began with a...

John Hendrix
Director of Economic Development
601.650.1607
jhendrix@choctaw.org
Office of Economic Development
375 Industrial Road | STE 2
Choctaw, MS 39350