Skilled to Work is a TWIN STATES NEWS station initiative in East Mississippi and West Alabama with the goal of changing the perception of working in the skilled trades. There is a severe shortage of skilled workers throughout our community. As the current workforce retires, there are not enough workers to replace them. For more than 30 years, we have been teaching our children that the only pathway to a career is by earning a 4-year college degree. We are facing a workforce crisis.

Through partnerships with multiple organizations and industries affiliated with the trades, we have begun to change the conversation. We are educating parents, teens, young adults, and our community that the skilled trades are a viable career option with plenty of high-paying jobs with excellent benefits and retirement packages.

Join Twin States News every Thursday at 6 p.m., 9 p.m. & 10 p.m. as we bring you impact stories and resources and workforce options in vocational training in our community.