Workforce Under Construction

Louisiana has launched a pilot program, Course Choice, that allows students access to hundreds of in-person and online academic and career education courses often not available in traditional schools, ranging from college prep classes to welding and electrical training.

More than 2,000 students already are enrolled in the program and the waitlist has grown to more than 1,000.

And the focus isn’t just on preparing students for college, but also on preparing them to starting high-wage careers when they graduate.

“Our Career and Technical Center has the capacity to educate [students] for the workforce and get them ready for high-wage job sectors,” said Dr. Lonnie Luce, superintendent of St. James Parish.

The pilot for 2013-2014 school year limits offerings to high school-level Carnegie credit courses. Currently, there is a list of 38 approved course providers, including the Associated Builders and Contractors Pelican Chapter.