Preparing Mississippi's Workforce for Tomorrow
The Office of Career and Technical Education (CTE) at the Mississippi Community College Board (MCCB) provides leadership, coordination, and technical assistance for CTE programs across the state’s 15 community colleges.
The Office works to ensure that programs meet industry standards and workforce needs by aligning instruction with high-demand career pathways. Through partnerships, Perkins V funding, and statewide professional events such as the annual Workforce, Career, and Technical Conference, the Office of CTE helps colleges deliver programs that equip students with academic knowledge, technical skills, and hands-on experience needed to earn credentials, degrees, and sustainable careers, building a skilled workforce and strengthening Mississippi’s economy.
What is Career and Technical Education?
Career and Technical Education (CTE) combines academic learning with applied, hands-on instruction to prepare students for success in today’s workforce. Mississippi’s community colleges offer hundreds of CTE programs leading to certificates, associate degrees, and industry-recognized credentials across fields such as health sciences, information technology, manufacturing, business, and transportation.
By aligning education with employer needs, CTE supports communities, fosters economic growth, and opens clear pathways for learners of all ages Explore CTE programs available through Mississippi’s community colleges to find the pathway that fits your goal
Programs of Study
The MCCB develops and maintains statewide curriculum frameworks that outline program standards, competencies, and course sequences for each CTE program offered through Mississippi’s community colleges.
These frameworks ensure alignment with workforce needs, compliance with state and federal requirements, and consistency in quality and outcomes.
Statewide Coordination and Resources
The Office of CTE provides statewide coordination, oversight, and resources to support Mississippi’s 15 community colleges. These initiatives include the administration of Perkins V funding, coordination of statewide Practical Nursing programs, and management of key manuals, applications, and reference tools.
- Perkins V
The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) continues the federal investment in CTE. Effective July 1, 2019, the law gives states flexibility to support high-quality programs while maintaining a focus on equity and strong outcomes for learners and employers.
In Mississippi, Perkins V funds help colleges improve and expand CTE programs, use data to guide decision-making, and align offerings with workforce needs.
Resources
To ensure you are accessing the most current Perkins V documents, all publications are now housed on the MCCB Publications page.
Systems:
- Practical Nursing
The fifteen Mississippi community colleges offer practical nursing in a one-year format. Instructors provide both classroom and clinical experience sessions. Students receive instruction in courses such as pharmacology, human anatomy, math, medical terminology, and composition. In July 2019, the Mississippi Board of Nursing became Mississippi’s authorized administrative body for practical nursing programs. For more information about implementing a new program or general administrative programs, please contact the Mississippi Board of Nursing.
Systems
- CTE Resources
The Office of CTE maintains statewide manuals, applications, and reference materials that guide program development, reporting, and collaboration across the community colleges.
To ensure you are accessing the most current CTE documents, all publications are now housed on the MCCB Publications page.