Mississippi marks National Apprenticeship Week

A Facebook post by the U.S. Department of Labor says apprenticeships strengthen the workforce, open doors to high-paying careers and help meet the needs of a growing economy, and declares the week National Apprenticeship Week in Mississippi.

Apprenticeship programs combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction and have long been used in construction, manufacturing and skilled trades. In recent years, federal and state officials have encouraged expanding apprenticeships into sectors such as healthcare, information technology and advanced manufacturing to address labor shortages and provide alternative pathways to careers without requiring a four-year college degree.

Officials and employers often highlight apprenticeships for their ability to connect workers directly with hiring businesses and to provide industry-recognized credentials. The U.S. Department of Labor promotes National Apprenticeship Week as an annual observance to showcase programs, partnerships and career opportunities across states.

Details on who issued the proclamation in Mississippi were not provided in the post. We will provide more information as it becomes available.