Madison County Achieves Certification as ACT Work Ready Community
The Madison County Economic Development Authority (MCEDA) announced that Madison County, MS has met all criteria to become a certified ACT Work Ready
Community. This achievement caps the two-year engagement process and begins a two-year growth and maintenance phase to retain certification.
The ACT Work Ready Communities initiative is designed to assist a particular area, region or state in developing its workforce pipeline to provide
skilled workers for employers. The framework allows each participating community to quantify and improve the skill levels of its workforce through
a standardized workforce skill credential—the ACT WorkKeys® National Career Readiness Certificate™—supported by data updated
online by ACT on a monthly basis.
We are proud of Madison County’s designation as a Work Ready Community, which recognizes successful efforts by the community, education and business
leaders to strengthen workforce training and development in order to meet the economic development needs of our community,” said Joseph P.
Deason, Executive Director of MCEDA. “This certification proves that Madison County citizens are highly-educated and skilled across all industry
segments.”
The initiative was led by the Madison County Economic Development Authority and Holmes Community College, along with the Madison County Business
League and Foundation, Madison County Community Trust, WIN Job Center, Madison County Public School District and Canton Public School District.
Each entity played an important role by promoting the initiative, investing in testing, and paving the way for Madison County’s emerging, current
and transitioning workforce to be identified in the local talent pipeline.
“I am proud that Madison County has chosen to pursue the Work Ready Community initiative, and I am happy that Holmes Community College could
partner with the county and assist in reaching the goals to become Work Ready,” said Dr. Mike Blankenship, Vice President of Workforce Development
at Holmes Community College. “This will position Madison County to better compete for important economic development projects and create opportunities
for our county citizens to have the best quality of life possible.”
“We congratulate Madison County for this significant achievement, and we are proud to add them to our growing list of certified ACT Work Ready
Communities,” said Tony Garife, ACT Regional Manager, Workforce Initiatives. “The progressive thinking and positive action demonstrated by
county leadership shows an enduring commitment to growing the economic success of the area. As a result, local residents will begin seeing
the important linkage between education and workforce development and the value of matching people to jobs.”
For more information on this initiative, go to workreadycommunities.org
