By Sonny Simmons/Panola Partnership CEO

A qualified workforce is essential to the success of a community. The next generation of young people entering the workforce must be well educated and highly trained.

If you or a family member or maybe a good friend are undecided about attending a four year college to get a degree, and you are wondering what options are available, a community college that offers skill training may be the avenue for you.

Did you know that the demand for technical skills is now just as important to some manufacturers as is a four-year college degree? In fact, some of these jobs, because of the high demand, are paying extremely high wages. Welders, industrial maintenance technicians, tool and die graduates, just to name a few, are often able to begin work making over $40,000 a year.

These two-year programs are a great option if you are not going to pursue a four-year degree.
One of the best community colleges within our state, in my opinion, is located in our backyard in Senatobia. Northwest Community College has invested wisely in the most modern equipment available and has a group of highly qualified instructors that have the ability to teach and train an individual to prepare for a successful career. Once learned, these lifelong skills will continue to be in high demand. Finding a good paying job should be no problem.

Northwest takes great pride on staying on the cutting edge of technology. They continually add new equipment to train students.

I encourage anyone looking to develop the skills that are necessary to be successful and provide a good living for their family to give them a call or visit the campus for more information. Or you may call us at the Panola Partnership for contact information.

It doesn’t matter if you are pursuing a four-year college degree or if you are interested in getting an associate degree from one of our community colleges, a good education is a must to obtain a good paying job. The time and effort you spend now to prepare yourself for a successful future will lead to a lifetime of achievement and success. So I encourage you, don’t wait and do it now!