LCTCS pledges improvements

The Louisiana Community and Technical College System Board of Supervisors Wednesday, Oct. 8, unanimously approved a six-year plan to boost skills and the earning power of the state’s workforce.
“Our Louisiana 2020: Building the Workforce of Tomorrow” sets forth six goals for its 13 community and technical colleges:
•Double the number of graduates to 40,000 annually;
•Double the earnings of the annual graduating class to $1.5 billion;
•Quadruple student transfers to four-year universities to 10,000 annually;
•Double the number of students served to 325,000 annually;
•Quadruple partnerships with business and industry to 1,000 annually;
•Double foundation assets to $50 million.
“I am proud to be a part of a team with the courage to take on what we know is one the most important issues facing Louisiana today,” said LCTCS president Monty Sullivan.
“The commitment embodied in these goals is to deliver the workforce Louisiana needs now and in the future,” he said. “Louisiana’s community and technical colleges accept this challenge and we look forward to delivering on the promise of this plan for a better Louisiana.”
The “Our Louisiana” plan was developed by business and industry leaders, economic and workforce experts, K-12 and higher education officials, students, and college leadership working together.
“As we mark the end of the formative years of the system of colleges, we turn our attention to Louisiana and its future,” said board chairman Woody Oge.
“Our board believes the only way for us to meet the needs of this great state is to be aggressive and embrace the workforce challenge head on. This plan does that, and it sets the stage for future generations to learn and earn by securing good-paying jobs right here in Louisiana.”
Unprecedented economic growth is forecast for Louisiana over the next five to 10 years, with companies expected to invest upwards of $60 billion in the state and hire tens of thousands of skilled employees.