JACKSON, Miss.,-The Mississippi House has passed legislation that would establish a new state fund aimed at strengthening construction workforce training programs and addressing growing labor shortages across the state.
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The proposal would create the Construction Training Assistance Fund by diverting 6.75% of contractor sales taxes into a dedicated pool supporting construction education. The fund would be administered by Accelerate Mississippi, the state’s workforce development office, which would issue grants to public community colleges and K-12 schools offering construction-related training.
Rep. Donnie Bell, a Republican from Fulton and the bill’s author, said the measure is intended to connect students with stable, high-demand career paths.
Bell emphasized that exposing students to skilled trades early can create long-term economic opportunity, particularly as industries across Mississippi expand and infrastructure demands grow.
The construction sector, still recovering from the impacts of the Great Recession, now faces a different challenge: a shortage of trained workers.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for electricians is projected to grow 9% annually through 2034. In Mississippi, the median annual salary for electricians and plumbers exceeds $57,000 — higher than the state’s median household income of roughly $56,000.
These wage levels and employment projections underscore the economic potential of skilled trades, particularly as Mississippi continues investing in manufacturing plants and data centers that require extensive construction infrastructure.
Data from the Associated General Contractors of America show that Mississippi employed 51,800 construction workers in July 2025 — a 2% increase from the previous year and a 15% rise compared to February 2020.
At Monday’s Stennis Capitol Press Forum, Bill Cork, executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority, highlighted the urgency of expanding the workforce pipeline.
“Right now the most important skills we’re tracking are construction trades. If you believe the news reports and some of the advertising, we’re probably short 100,000 construction workers in Mississippi right now,” said Cork.
The workforce gap has become especially pressing as Mississippi competes for major industrial investments. Construction workers are critical not only for new manufacturing facilities but also for expanding transportation networks, utilities, and data infrastructure that support long-term economic growth.
Supporters of the bill argue that the new fund would provide predictable financial support for training programs, allowing schools to invest in updated equipment, certified instructors, and career counseling initiatives. By channeling contractor sales tax revenue directly into workforce development, lawmakers aim to align industry growth with workforce preparation.
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If enacted, the Construction Training Assistance Fund could represent one of the state’s most targeted efforts to address labor shortages in a sector widely viewed as essential to Mississippi’s economic expansion strategy.
The bill now moves forward for further consideration as lawmakers continue debate during the legislative session.
Otiginally reported by Katherine Lin in Mississippi Today.
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