
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.
Winter 2026 Available Now!
DOWNLOAD NOW!
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Begins Construction on Workforce Training Center
CHOCTAW, Miss. – The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians has begun construction of a new Workforce Training Center that will include more than 37,000 square feet of space for vocational and technical job training. The Center is expected to open in December of 2026....
Fall 2025 Newsletter Is Now Available
Included in this issue: The Tribe’s Carbon Sales Help Fund New School Buildings Small Business Incubator Bringing New Tools for Tribal Entrepreneurs Fast Start Class Trains Tribal Entrepreneurs Tribe Begins Work On Workforce Training Center Economic Development...
MBCI Economic Development Director Wins National Award
CHOCTAW, Miss. – John Hendrix, Economic Development Director for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, was recently awarded the 2025 Chris Thompson Economic Development Professional Excellence Award by the United South & Eastern Tribes, Inc. This prestigious...
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Receives Grant for Greenhouse Gas Reduction Measures
CHOCTAW, Mississippi -- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Region 4 Administrator Jeaneanne Gettle recently visited the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians to join Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben for a press event to highlight the award of a $7.7 million Climate...
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Makes $1 Billion Annual Impact on State
A recently completed economic impact analysis shows the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (MBCI) has an almost $1 billion annual impact on the state's economy. "This study demonstrates the significant role our Tribe plays in the economic health of Mississippi. We...
Advertisement for Bids for the Construction of the Tribe’s Workforce Training Center
SECTION 00 00 15 ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Notice is hereby given that sealed hard copy bids or electronic bids will be received for the project named below until 2:00 PM on Wednesday, July 31. Bids may be submitted directly to the location listed below or...
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Brings New Life to Carthage Industrial Buildings
CARTHAGE, Miss. – Following extensive updates and repairs, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (MBCI) are breathing new life into their 120,000 square feet of industrial space in Leake County. The three industrial buildings, each about 40,000 square feet, were...
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...
John Hendrix
Director of Economic Development
601.650.1607
jhendrix@choctaw.org
Office of Economic Development
375 Industrial Road | STE 2
Choctaw, MS 39350





