Utilizing Untapped Talent
Rankin County, Mississippi is committed to exploring new ways to grow the talent pipeline.
A skilled and available workforce is critical to the economic success of a region. Growing the workforce and enhancing the talent pipeline to meet both current and future labor demands is a priority of Rankin County. The region is dedicated to seeking out new and innovative opportunities to enhance the workforce.
Private Industry & Law Enforcement Partnerships
Recognizing the challenges that arise from those released from jail returning to the workforce, Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey was committed to launching a successful reentry program. His planning and dedication to developing this program received immediate and unanimous support in the community. As such, Rankin County Sheriff’s Office established a Trustee Program for inmates. This partnership between law enforcement and private industry creates an opportunity for inmates to successfully reenter the workforce upon release.
Helping Inmates Find Success
Participants in the Trustee Program are placed in local businesses for employment, where they can earn and save money even before they are released. Soft skills such as money management, anger management and parenting courses are given as well.
The program sets inmates up for success upon release as well as lowers recidivism rates. It began with just one inmate and has since grown to help countless individuals. The Trustee Program has received much positive attention from the state and is now being used as a model program for other communities.
Industry Investment & Support
A great deal of time, money and resources are needed in the development of such a program, so in order for it to be successful, industry support and investment were crucial. KLLM Transport Services, one of the largest truckload carriers in the U.S., was a key player in the success of the Commercial Driver’s License Program, one of the vocational programs offered to inmates, by generously donating a truck and trailer to the reentry program. This equipment gives inmates in the program the necessary training and skills to earn a successful career upon release.
We are pro-Mississippi… we work closely with Hinds Community College and Pelahatchie High School to have academic training programs. They have all welcomed our engagement and we’ve engaged in internships that turn into full employment.
Andrew Mallinson, CEO Multicraft International