Jayda Spillers, chancellor for Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College (NLTCC), shared insights into the institution’s latest initiatives during a recent presentation at the noon Lions Club meeting on March 28. The event served as a platform for Spillers to showcase NLTCC’s commitment to providing well-trained personnel to meet regional employment needs through innovative programs.
As one of only 12 community colleges in the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, NLTCC operates several campuses: Minden (including Camp Minden), Shreveport, and Mansfield. The college offers a diverse array of credentialed courses, encompassing areas such as allied health, technical studies, manufacturing technology, and industrial technology.
Among the standout features of NLTCC’s educational offerings are industry-based certifications (IBC) and credentials of value, which enhance students’ employability by attesting to their mastery of critical skills. Spillers emphasized that these credentials, along with dual enrollment opportunities for high school students, underscore NLTCC’s commitment to preparing students for the workforce. “That’s how we are trying to serve our community and give students these opportunities,” said Spillers.
A highlight of NLTCC’s upcoming programs is the summer Jump Start course offered on the Minden campus, “Introduction to Electrical Technology,” aimed at 11th- and 12th-grade students and recent high school graduates. This course not only offers five college credits but also provides three IBCs: NCCER Core, NC3 Conduit Bending, and NC3 Wire Pulling and Phishing, setting students on a path for success in industrial maintenance, instrumentation, and electrician careers.
Spillers also highlighted NLTCC’s dedication to work-based learning, with programs designed to provide students with real-world experience while pursuing their degrees as heavy-equipment operators, welders, licensed practical nurses, CNC operators, and others.
In response to high demands in our community and across the United States, NLTCC has pioneered the state’s first community-college based plumbing program as well as training opportunities for powerline workers and commercial drivers (CDL). Acknowledging the significance of these programs in retaining talent within the region, Spillers noted, “We now have students training here instead of going to Texas for powerline worker training”.
Furthermore, NLTCC offers pathways for individuals without a high school diploma to start working on credentials while pursuing their HiSET, emphasizing accessibility and affordability. Spillers also expressed the college’s need for skilled teachers, particularly in industrial maintenance, diesel, and welding, to support its growth.
For more information on NLTCC and its programs, visit www.nltcc.edu.
The Minden Lions Club meets every Thursday at noon at the American Legion Memorial Hall, 119 W. Pine St. in downtown Minden. The club extends a welcome to potential new members interested in serving the community.