South Louisiana Community College is expanding its manufacturing technology and basic industrial scaffolding courses to meet the needs of industry and community members.
South Louisiana Community College is expanding its manufacturing technology and basic industrial scaffolding courses to meet the needs of industry and community members.
South Louisiana Community College is expanding its manufacturing technology and basic industrial scaffolding courses to meet the needs of industry and community members.
South Louisiana Community College is expanding its manufacturing technology and basic industrial scaffolding courses to meet the needs of industry and community members.
South Louisiana Community College is recruiting students for two new short-term workforce programs and expanding other courses to additional campuses.
The new programs are for fiber optic technicians and heavy equipment operators. SLCC will also expand their manufacturing technology and basic industrial scaffolding courses to meet the needs of industry and community members.
The courses were created and designed by business and industry owners and operators who identified workforce needs, SLCC officials said.
“SLCC is working diligently to ensure that well-trained qualified individuals are being pipelined to fill the workforce needs of our local partners,” Anthony Baham, spokesman for SLCC’s Workforce and Economic Division, said.
The 20-week fiber optic technician course will be offered at SLCC’s Crowley campus. Students will learn to install and repair fiber optic lines to meet telecommunications industry demands in Louisiana. Tuition costs $11,500 and students can earn eight certifications upon successful completion. Baham said SLCC staff is well-versed in programs to help defray some costs for qualifying students.
The class, which starts Nov. 28, will enroll a maximum of 30 students.
He said telecommunications industry demands are increasing in areas such as fiber construction, overhead technicians, underground technicians, home install techs and networking technicians. These jobs are in high demand throughout the country, he said, because of the CARES Act funding designed to increase broadband connectivity to even the most rural parts of the nation.
In Louisiana, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced in June that the state would receive $176.7 million to increase access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet.
SLCC said in an issued statement that the state has “millions of miles of fiber” that will require construction crews to install and techs to connect and do home installs. Right now, the workforce to accomplish this initiative is insufficient.
“It is SLCC's goal to work collaboratively with our industry partners to fill this gap. Some of our local employers that will be hiring out of this program include COX communications, Reach4 and Cajun Broadband,” Baham said. “Depending on which aspect of the industry potential students decide to pursue, the salary range would vary from $16-$25 per hour.”
The heavy equipment operator course will be offered at SLCC’s New Iberia campus. Students will participate in a hands-on curriculum, learning how to operate a variety of equipment, including excavators and backhoes. Tuition costs $6,000. Some students may qualify for special tuition assistance for this program, SLCC said.
The course begins Sept. 26 and is limited to 15 students.
Baham said program graduates could work anywhere throughout a tri-state area for companies such as Lemoine, Lafayette Consolidated Government and E.P. Breaux. Graduates will have a “foundational education” on heavy equipment operation equipping them to work in various aspects of the construction industry.
“Keep in mind the decisions on where to locate our programs depend heavily on existing resources, faculty and staff at those sites,” he said. “At SLCC we work hard to ensure that we are being mindful of how to educate as many students as possible with funding limitations.”
SLCC will expand its short-term Basic Industrial Scaffold Building and Manufacturing Technology courses, as well. Basic Industrial Scaffolding will be offered at SLCC’s Opelousas campus in addition to the New Iberia campus, beginning in September.
The five-month Manufacturing Technology course, currently offered at SLCC’s Morgan City campus, will expand to SLCC’s Lafayette and New Iberia campuses in the fall.
“We are excited to offer these training opportunities to community members wanting to pursue a new career path or gain a new skill,” stated Anthony Baham, spokesman for SLCC’s Workforce and Economic Division. “We work closely with our local industries to understand the skills they need for new employees to grow within their companies.”
For more information on SLCC’s short-term courses, email workforce@solacc.edu or visit www.solacc.edu/workforce.
Email Ken Stickney at kstickney@theadvocate.com.
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