Mississippi non-farm employment reaches record high for May

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Gov. Tate Reeves said Mississippi’s total nonfarm employment reached a new all-time high in May, topping 1.19 million jobs.

The state said the number shows its economic development strategy is working. Workforce leaders said the job market includes opportunities for people who are unemployed or looking for better-paying work.

Workforce leaders point to training options

Blaise King, director of strategy and alignment for Accelerate Mississippi, said job seekers should not let timelines or a lack of skills keep them from pursuing work.

“Not everything has to be a degree. It can be short-term training that can get you into work quickly and making good money,” King said.

King said Mississippi is seeing strong demand for construction jobs, driven in part by new data centers coming to the state. He said those jobs can lead to long-term careers.

“Someone could very easily have a career in the construction trades and move up beyond manual labor to the project manager and things like that to really have a high quality of life for them, for their family, and contribute back to society,” King said.

Advanced manufacturing is also a high-priority occupational sector.

Employers looking for skills and commitment

John McKay, president and CEO of the Mississippi Business Alliance, said opportunities exist across job sectors.

“There’s really no sector where there’s no opportunity,” McKay said.

McKay said companies are willing to invest in workers who show commitment.

“They’re willing to put that money on the line because they are really there. There’s a deep need for skilled people who can come in and kind of be ready on day one, and they’re willing to invest that capital in that,” McKay said.

McKay said soft skills can help job seekers get started.

“I will say that employers are most excited about an individual that has the drive and determination to show up to work every day and put in the effort. And so if your problem is you think you have a lack of skill or education, do not let that be a barrier,” McKay said.

While opportunities exist statewide, unemployment rates show an uneven distribution of economic success. The rates range from a low of 2.5% in Rankin County to a high of 8.8% in Issaquena County.

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