Home News NWLTCC included in Gov. Edwards Announcement of Pro Louisiana Workforce Development Program

NWLTCC included in Gov. Edwards Announcement of Pro Louisiana Workforce Development Program

by Minden Press-Herald

Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College (NLTCC) announced that it will be  part of the newly launched PRO Louisiana, a workforce development program of the  Louisiana Watershed Initiative for professional resilience occupations, in partnership  with the Louisiana Community and Technical College System and Louisiana Economic  Development. 

NLTCC will begin an expansion of the Heavy Equipment Operator Program in June, at its Shreveport location. This will make the workforce stronger by training in demand heavy  equipment operators. An informational meeting about the Heavy Equipment Operator  Program will take place on Wednesday, May 4th at 2:00pm at the NLTCC Shreveport  Campus. Anyone interested in enrolling in this program is encouraged to attend. 

PRO Louisiana provides federal funding for disaster resilience training courses and  certification. The goal is to develop a skilled workforce to support statewide resilience  efforts, including LWI flood risk reduction projects, and build up Louisiana’s defense  against future disasters.  

“We’ve awarded more than $450 million in federal funds to flood mitigation projects  statewide that will break ground over the next few years, which means we need trained  resilience professionals to support these efforts now more than ever,” Gov. John Bel  Edwards said. “PRO Louisiana highlights the Louisiana Watershed Initiative’s  comprehensive approach to disaster defense. Beyond funding mitigation projects 

throughout the state, we’re preparing a workforce to deliver those projects and fill in demand jobs in disaster resilience.” 

Six colleges are offering PRO Louisiana courses this spring and/or summer: Baton Rouge  Community College, Central Louisiana Technical Community College, Louisiana Delta  Community College, Northshore Technical Community College, Northwest Louisiana  Technical Community College and South Louisiana Community College. Click here to  contact LCTCS for more details.  

The summer courses will focus on resilience training for heavy equipment operators,  which are in demand and crucial to the success of flood resilience efforts in Louisiana,  according to a 2018 labor market analysis by LED and the Louisiana Workforce  Commission. In the long term, PRO Louisiana will support additional courses in other  areas, such as flood risk analysis and resilient construction methods for builders,  contractors, and other professionals.  

“We are thrilled to partner with the Louisiana Watershed Initiative to provide resilience  training courses through PRO Louisiana, which will benefit the futures of our students  and of our state,” LCTCS President Monty Sullivan said. “Demand for trained resilience  professionals is on the rise as our communities recover from previous disasters and  prepare for the growing risks of future ones. PRO Louisiana courses will provide the  training and skills students need to secure essential, well-paid jobs with a higher  purpose: safeguarding our state.” 

“Louisiana has the best workforce development training programs in the country, and  higher education partnerships that deliver customized training are a big reason why,”  LED Secretary Don Pierson said. “By equipping students with skills to perform  specialized resilience work, PRO Louisiana strengthens our economy in a way that  literally rebuilds our state. LED is proud to partner with the Louisiana Watershed  Initiative and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System to capitalize on  these federal funds and fill the talent pipeline for a growing job sector.” 

Tuition assistance may be available for eligible students. To contact LCTCS about upcoming courses and how to apply, visit https://www.lctcs.edu/workforce-solutions.

Related Posts