By MDA Staff Writer | October 14, 2026
GREENVILLE, Miss. — A workforce development initiative that began in the Mississippi Delta is gaining momentum, helping nearly 100 participants across Mississippi prepare for construction careers while supporting major energy infrastructure projects.
The TIC Reconnect pre-apprenticeship program, launched in January 2026, has graduated nearly 100 workers across Entergy Mississippi’s service area, according to an October 6 company announcement highlighted in industry reporting on October 13.
The four-week training program was developed through a partnership involving Mississippi Delta Community College, AccelerateMS and The Industrial Company, commonly known as TIC.
According to Entergy, every program graduate who interviewed with TIC received a job offer, and approximately 70% of graduates remain employed with the contractor on Entergy projects. Entergy
Greenville Program Opens Doors to Skilled Employment
The initiative began at Entergy Mississippi’s Delta Blues Advanced Power Station construction project in Greenville.
Rather than relying exclusively on experienced workers from outside the region, project partners developed a training program intended to prepare local residents for employment.
Participants receive instruction in construction safety, workplace procedures, equipment use and fundamental construction skills.
Each training group typically includes 10 to 12 participants.
Students also receive a training stipend, personal protective equipment, tools and opportunities to earn industry-recognized certifications.
Training is offered through Mississippi Delta Community College in Greenville and Hinds Community College in Vicksburg.
The program is designed to help participants develop foundational skills needed to enter construction careers. Entergy
First Greenville Graduates Receive Job Offers Starting at $20 an Hour
The program’s early success was documented in March when Mississippi Delta Community College announced that its first two graduating classes had completed training.
The first class consisted of 11 participants who completed the program in February.
All 11 received employment offers from TIC, with starting wages of $20 per hour.
A second class of 11 participants completed training in March, and each also received an employment offer.
The college reported that the initiative was made possible through partnerships involving the South Delta Planning and Development District, Greenville WIN Job Center, AccelerateMS and industry representatives.
The program’s development reflects a coordinated effort to connect workforce training with employers seeking qualified workers. Mississippi Delta
Nearly 100 Graduates Reflect Continued Expansion
The initiative has expanded considerably since its first Greenville graduating class.
According to Entergy’s October 6 announcement, nearly 100 workers have completed training across the company’s Mississippi service area.
Some graduates have already received promotions, while others have entered additional training programs focused on specialized trades such as electrical work and pipefitting.
The company also reported that approximately 70% of graduates continue working with TIC on Entergy projects.
That figure reflects continued employment with the contractor, not the overall employment rate of all graduates.
The program has expanded beyond its original Mississippi location, including additional training connected to energy construction projects in Texas. Entergy
$1.2 Billion Power Plant Creates Regional Opportunities
The training initiative is closely connected to construction of the Delta Blues Advanced Power Station in Greenville.
The $1.2 billion project is expected to become operational in 2028.
According to Entergy, the facility will have a generating capacity of 754 megawatts and will be capable of supplying electricity equivalent to the needs of approximately 385,000 homes across its Mississippi service territory.
Construction is expected to support more than 300 jobs over the course of the project.
Once operational, the facility is expected to employ approximately 21 permanent full-time workers.
The project is designed to replace the aging Gerald Andrus Steam Electric Station while providing more efficient electricity generation.
The construction employment opportunities have created demand for workers trained in specialized industrial skills. Entergy
Building Long-Term Opportunities in the Mississippi Delta
For Greenville and surrounding communities, the workforce initiative demonstrates how partnerships between educational institutions, government agencies and private employers can create opportunities for residents.
The program also provides a model for connecting training directly to available jobs rather than preparing students without a clear employment pathway.
Although completing the program does not guarantee permanent employment, the reported job offers and continued employment rates suggest encouraging early results.
The initiative’s long-term impact will depend on whether graduates continue advancing into stable careers after major construction projects are completed.
As Mississippi Delta communities work to attract investment and expand employment opportunities, the TIC Reconnect program offers an example of how local workforce training can help residents participate in the region’s economic development.
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Source: — Local Workers Hired Through Pre-Apprenticeship Program at Entergy Mississippi Sites, Entergy and Mississippi Delta Community College