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From $12 an hour to a Career: How Northeast Mississippi Community College and Northrop Grumman are Changing Lives

by Liz Calvery

CORINTH, Miss. -- (09/08/2026) — A year ago, many of the men and women who are now pursuing careers with Northrop Grumman were pumping gas, cleaning offices or looking for work.

Today, more than 200 participants in Northeast Mississippi Community College's workforce training programs have the potential to earn $21 to $25 an hour through careers with Northrop Grumman, with some already working at the company and others awaiting the completion of the federal security clearance process before they can officially begin work.

But the partnership's impact cannot be measured in numbers alone.

It can be seen in the mother who returned to school while raising her children, the recent high school graduate who found a career path, the former custodian who now reads precision blueprints, and the worker ready for a fresh start.

Over the past year, more than 220 people from across Northeast Mississippi have entered Northeast's training programs and begun building new futures.

"This program isn't just about teaching skills, it's about changing the trajectory of someone's life," said Morgan Fisher, Associate Director of Workforce Training at Northeast. "At Northeast, we measure our success by the lives we change, not just the classes we teach, and watching people move from making $12 an hour, or not working at all, to building real, stable careers that support their families for years to come, is exactly why this work matters. When you multiply that across 200+ families in North Mississippi, that's not just workforce development; that's community transformation."

The partnership began when Northrop Grumman, located about 35 to 40 minutes from Northeast's Corinth campus, approached the college about an urgent need for skilled workers.

Together, the organizations developed the Aerospace Technician course. Students learn print reading, precision measurement, safety, layout, hand-tool use, drilling and fastener installation. Those who complete the first 48-hour class become eligible to interview with Northrop Grumman.

The pathway from training to employment is designed to allow participants to move into a high-demand career.

After completing the initial course, Northrop Grumman may contact participants for an interview. If a job offer is extended and accepted, the participant then begins the federal security clearance process, which typically involves three rounds of clearances and can take approximately nine to 10 months.

Once the required clearance is finalized, the participant can officially begin work at Northrop Grumman.

For many participants, interviewing with Northrop Grumman marks a turning point.

Some entered the program earning $12 to $13 an hour. Others were unemployed. Through the training and potential employment pathway, participants can pursue careers offering significantly higher wages and long-term stability.

For families, the difference can be significant. A higher wage can help pay off a car, cover a mortgage, or allow a parent to leave a second job.

Before the course evolved into its current format, Northeast trained 196 participants through the Aerospace Technician course. As interest in the training grew, Northeast leaders recognized that the skills being taught could benefit employers throughout the region, not just those in the aerospace industry.

The college transitioned the course to Intro to Assembly and Fabrication, making the training relevant to individuals throughout the community, regardless of where they ultimately work.

The Intro to Assembly and Fabrication course now serves as the entry point for the college's five-course Aerospace Fabrication and Assembly, or AFAB, program. The program also includes Quality Systems and Machining, Electrical Systems Integration, Hydraulics and Pneumatics System Integration, and Composites Fabrication.

Since the AFAB program launched July 1, an additional 27 people have completed the entry course, adding more potential career stories to the program's growing impact.

Northrop Grumman has continued to invest in the partnership. After NEMCC leaders visited the company's manufacturing and training facility in Palmdale, California, the organizations developed a more advanced 12- to 16-week training pathway.

Participants who complete the full pathway may be hired as Level 1 technicians, giving them additional training and preparation before starting their careers. Northrop Grumman has contributed $60,000 toward the development of a new state of the art training lab and donated a large sum of tools and equipment, estimated to be over $375,000.

For participants waiting for their security clearances, the training provides an opportunity to continue building skills and preparing for their careers while they await clearance completion.

The partnership is continuing to expand. NEMCC recently received a $2.092 million special project grant from AccelerateMS to build a new Advanced Composites Lab. Training is already underway, creating another opportunity for people in the region who are ready to begin a new career.

For more information about the Aerospace Fabrication and Assembly program or other workforce training opportunities at Northeast Mississippi Community College, email Goodskills@NEMCC.edu or visit www.nemcc.edu.

--NEMCC--

Information about Northeast Mississippi Community College

Northeast Mississippi Community College is a leading educational institution that provides comprehensive academic, technical, and workforce training programs to empower students and promote lifelong learning. With a commitment to excellence, Northeast Mississippi Community College fosters a supportive environment that prepares individuals for success in their chosen fields.

For more information about Northeast Mississippi Community College, visit http://www.nemcc.edu.

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Today, more than 200 participants in Northeast Mississippi Community College’s workforce training programs have the potential to earn $21 to $25 an hour through careers with Northrop Grumman

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