The staff and students of the Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC)-Rod Brady campus in Jena are celebrating Louisiana Community College Week this week (March 21-25) alongside campuses statewide to showcase the programs and career possibilities to potential students.

CLTCC is a comprehensive public two-year community college that provides academic, occupational and specialized training leading to industry-based certifications, technical certificates, technical diplomas and associate degrees with the aim of producing a skilled workforce of knowledgeable and confident citizens who contribute to the sustainability of the local, state and national economy.

“As baby boomers begin to leave the job market, the opportunities for those that are well-trained will be endless,” Campus Dean Laurel Comeaux said. “I hear from employers all the time that they do not have enough people to work or enough applicants to choose from. To address these needs, we need to grow our own workforce here in the parish to fill these positions. That’s what we are doing here at CLTCC.”

She said the enrollment at CLTCC-Rod Brady has grown tremendously in recent years from just over 50 students enrolled in 2014 to 170 students enrolled this year.

“We’re excited we are growing and excited to be part of a parish that is growing,” she said. “Our students are not just a number to us. They are our community and our future, and we are in the position to serve the workforce of not only LaSalle but the surrounding parishes.”

The CLTCC-Rod Brady campus offers programs in Practical Nursing, Welding, Business Administration and Heavy Equipment/Vehicle Operation as well as general education classes and the HiSET program for high school diploma completion. The Rod Brady campus has served the parish since its establishment in 1984.

“All our campuses in the system have nursing, welding and business programs that are very successful,” Comeaux said. “We are proud of the success of our students in these programs as well as the students in our newest program for heavy equipment operation.”

Heavy Vehicle Operation

Comeaux said the heavy equipment program, which began this past fall, is a great addition to the Jena campus and offers yet another valuable training to fill local job needs.

“This program is taught in two cohorts: heavy equipment and CDL certification. Our first class started in the fall and they are now working on their CDL certification,” she said. “We just started our second heavy equipment cohort. The whole program lasts about eight to nine months over two semesters and enrolls every third semester. Upon completion, the students receive a technical degree and CDL certification.”

Heavy Equipment Instructor Wesley Moreau said the cost of the program is a great value too compared to what is received when starting out in these positions.

“There’s definitely a great need for operators and the pay scale is going up,” Moreau said. “Local companies like Drax, Womack and River City Ready Mix all need these positions filled. The owner of one of the local companies even told me he would hire anybody that comes through this program.”

Comeaux added that the program has had great community support including CAT donating the heavy equipment and the Town of Jena loaning a site for the students to work. She also said the students have helped with several community projects too including clearing the former location of Haye’s Lumber.

Practical Nursing

She said the Practical Nursing program for LPN runs for 22 months (five semesters) total with 58 credit hours for a technical diploma. The program was previously offered every two years, but a new cohort of approximately 40 students begins every August.

She said another path offered is an Associate of Applied Science, which allows LPN students to begin general education course work such as English, History, etc. that is transferrable toward a Registered Nursing (RN) degree at a university. The total credit hours are 73 credit hours for a technical diploma and an associate’s degree.

Welding

Comeaux said welding remains another popular program that enrolls every semester and half semester with approximately 22 months (five semesters) for a technical degree. She said an employer is lined up to hire any students who complete the welding program.

Business Administration

Another program Comeaux said is offered at CLTCC-Rod Brady is Business Administration with three different concentrations: accounting, medical office and general. The programs enroll every semester and half semester with approximately 22 months (five semesters) for a technical degree. An associate’s degree in business administration is available as well.

“There are big changes coming for our business programs with exciting things ahead for our students,” Comeaux said. “We will see more partnerships with universities with more two years here and two years there opportunities.”

Other Programs

Comeaux said two programs that the public may not be as aware of that Rod Brady offers are general education classes and the HiSET program.

“We offer general education classes that are fully transferable, so if someone isn’t ready to go straight to a university or college they can take general classes here first,” she said. “We also offer the HiSET program for those working on their high school diploma. We have seen a high success rate with those completing the HiSET program integrating into our other programs.”

Building a Future Workforce

Comeaux said when the TOPS program was rolled out its aim was keeping workers in the state after they graduated from a state university and the aim of CLTCC-Rod Brady is to educate locally to enter the local workforce.

“We are asking ourselves: how can we keep workers and bring people back to work here in LaSalle Parish?” she said. “Training and educational opportunities are vital to doing that. When you can give someone a practical skill it is a generational life-changing event for them and their families.”

For more information about CLTCC-Rod Brady and their programs, call (318) 992-2910, drop by campus (521 East Bradford Street) in Jena and/or visit www.cltcc.edu