
Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) is an innovative program supporting workforce development activities in 22 rural counties in the Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee Delta communities. WORC prepares displaced workers, new entrants into the workforce, and incumbent workers for good jobs in high demand industries like early childhood education and health care. This program provides training and support to workers, allows local businesses to retain existing and hire new employees, and offers professional development and financial literacy classes to program participants. WORC seeks to improve access to good jobs and helps workers plan for and recover from economic downturns. By targeting communities with long histories of persistent poverty, significant economic disparities, and low educational attainment, WORC fosters a more economically prosperous and resilient Delta region. This program is in partnership with Christian Brothers University, Coahoma Community College, and Mississippi Delta Community College.