Viewing all News for: Lauderdale County, Mississippi

Every advantage counts when looking to attract new industries, and the City of Meridian is looking to get a leg up on the competition. A cooperative effort between the city, Meridian Public School District, Lauderdale County School District and Meridian Community College looks to lead the community into becoming an ACT Work Ready Community.

Meridian High School students at Ross Collins Career and Technical Center were recognized Thursday for their success on the ACT Work Keys Assessment, a nationally recognized career readiness certificate. Ross Collins director Rob Smith said the students had a reason to hold their heads high. Their success on the assessment is proof to both future employers and themselves that they are prepared for their future careers. Meridian Community Development Director Craig Hitt said the students’ success would not only benefit them in their careers but would benefit the city as well. One of the biggest draws for industries looking to relocate or expand is an educated, skilled workforce, he said, and the ACT WorkKeys program is part of that. Currently, Hitt said, Meridian is working toward becoming an ACT Work Ready community, and having certified workers is the foundation of that effort.

With today’s challenges, we must best serve and encourage individuals based on his or her passions and interest and not a one size fits all model of the past. In order for us to ensure every student has an opportunity to reach his or her full potential regardless of race, wealth, disability, or circumstance, we must address the needs of each student.