Furniture Today,
TUPELO, Miss. — A U.S. Department of Labor grant

designed to support a new workforce training and development program for the state’s furniture industry has been awarded to Mississippi State University, the Tupelo-based Community Development Foundation and Itawamba Community College.

The $496,000 grant will fund training over a two-year period.

Participating employees will come from furniture producers and suppliers based in northeast Mississippi.

Potential participants include both managers and production staff.

Administrators said the program is expected to improve employee attitudes, create higher retention rates, lessen absenteeism and improve efficiency.

Executives from Mississippi furniture manufacturers have provided information on the industry’s needs.

Among the most pressing needs in workforce training are ergonomics, health and safety, leadership, motivation and performance management.