Multicraft Academy wins Governor’s Award

Mar. 1, 2018

Pelahatchie High School (PHS) and Multicraft International accepted the Governor’s Award for its Multicraft Academy partnership program at the 2018 Mississippi Education Partnership Conference on February 27. The Partnership, which is now at the one-year mark, is a Rankin County School District (RCSD)-funded two-year manufacturing course curriculum leading to Basic Manufacturing Certification, OSHA Certification and a Silver Level Career Readiness Certificate. The program is free to students and counts as college credit for those who plan to pursue two- or four-year degrees or Career Technical Certifications. 

Nine students are enrolled in the first year of the two-year program. For ty-three junior high and ninth graders are in the pipeline taking Career Explorations, which impacts 14% of the junior and seniors. Instructor John Gandy said that, after his presentation to the group about the partnership and getting kids prepared for work after high school, many of the other schools approached him expressing their interest in a similar program.

Multicraft International, a world-class electromechanical components manufacturer headquartered in Pelahatchie, offers paid internships for seniors and work-study programs for incoming seniors and hands-on training on manufacturing systems and equipment. The students will have direct interaction and Q&As with employees and Multicraft engineers. Already, students have participated in a product design project for Multicraft Ventures. News for the future impact on the community is that the Academy has plans to become certified as an Adult Craft Center, and that qualified students may enroll in Hinds Community College’s Advanced Manufacturing Program without taking prerequisite courses.