New manufacturing jobs, like those at Unified Brands in the Ceres Industrial Complex, are on the rise in Warren County. But for those wanting to apply for the well-paying positions, they must first complete a Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) at Hinds Community College.

According to Pablo Diaz, economic development director for Warren County, applicants in Warren County are proving they have the necessary skills to work in the manufacturing field at Unified Brands.

Diaz announced at Wednesday’s monthly Chamber luncheon Unified Brands had 360 people show up for its career fair earlier this month. Of the 100 who tested for CRC, 20 scored platinum level, while the others were gold and silver level.

“That’s the highest number in the metro area,” Diaz said. “It’s incredible and proves Unified Brands made the right decision in relocating here.”

Unified Brands is seeking to fill 425 positions and will schedule another career fair this fall. The commercial kitchen equipment manufacturer plans to be fully operational by January 2019.

To inform even more people about receiving their CRC, the Warren County Board of Supervisors and in particular District 3 Supervisors Charles Selmon will conduct a Community Workforce Development Seminar Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Travelers Rest Baptist Church, 718 Bowmar Avenue.

“One of the reasons that I decided to do this seminar is because I realize our community is not necessarily informed of the job opportunities we have coming into the community,” Selmon said.

“We have to have our citizens prepared and formed and the goal is to get citizens employed, and if some of them do not have the qualifications or minimum qualifications, then we’re not helping the community. Even though we’re bringing jobs here, we have to get our citizens ready to go to work and prepared.”

Selmon, who has been an advocate for workforce ready certification, said this seminar will help local citizens understand and become informed of what is necessary for them to become prepared for those jobs.

“The seminar is informative and I’m looking for a lot of people to show up asking what they can do to get employed, what they may be lacking to get employed,” Selmon said. “I want more people in Warren County-Vicksburg getting jobs first. My goal is getting as many people who live in Vicksburg Warren County employed as I can. They should be first in line to get jobs in Vicksburg and Warren County.”

The seminar will include presentations from Hinds Community College and Warren County Economic Development about CRC, as well as presentations from Unified Brands, the skills training needed and making communities employable.

Fore more information about the seminar, call Selmon at 601-634-8073 or email him at cselmon@co.warren.ms.us.