Grit and Growth:
Success Stories

At today’s graduation ceremony for the Basic Carpentry Reconnect Program at Build MS, nine students stood shoulder to shoulder—not just as completers of a training program, but as builders of new futures. Every student who began the class finished it, and several had already been hired by local contractors even before receiving their certificates. For the others, a job fair following the ceremony opened doors to high-wage, high-demand jobs across the construction industry.

Students not only received an industry-recognized certificate qualifying them for immediate employment or further technical training, they also received a hammer—personally handed to them by their instructor, Stephen Murphy.

As he handed each graduate a hammer, he reminded them of something he had said throughout the training: “This hammer can do two things—it can build, or it can destroy. It’s all in how you use it.”

At the beginning of the course, Mr. Murphy used the hammer to teach how to frame a wall, drive a nail, or repair a joint. But today, he used it to teach something even more powerful: the hammer had become a symbol of their lives, their choices, and their future careers.

Building with a Purpose

This cohort of the Reconnect program—funded by AccelerateMS and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)—represents what workforce development is truly about: giving individuals the tools they need to take control of their story.

“These students showed up every day, ready to work, learn, and grow,” said Murphy. “But more than that, they chose to build. Not just buildings—but confidence, careers, and community.”

The program, delivered in partnership with Build MS, provides short-term, non-credit workforce training aligned with Mississippi’s priority sectors—including construction. With coaching support, stipends for attendance, and direct employer connections, it removes barriers that often stand between talent and opportunity.

Nine Students. Nine Graduates. Endless Possibilities.

From day one, the hammer was more than a tool—it was a metaphor. And today, as each graduate held theirs proudly, it was a promise. A promise that they are builders: of their own futures, their families’ futures, and the economy of South Central Mississippi.

“The Reconnect program isn’t just about skill-building—it’s about life-building,” said Robin Parker, Director. “These students leave with more than a certificate. They leave with momentum—and a clear path forward into high-wage, high-demand careers.”

The goal is not just to train—it’s to connect students to strong career pathways in sectors like advanced manufacturing, construction, and logistics. Today’s graduation delivered on that mission.

And tomorrow? These graduates will be swinging those hammers—not just on job sites, but at the barriers that once stood in their way.