1A ConnectEd

Industry Roundtables

Convened as part of One Acadiana’s Workforce & Education Committee, the quarterly industry roundtable series brings together employers who require similar skill sets in their workforces to discuss their shared needs with education and training providers.

The roundtables are a chance for peers within an industry to discuss their workforce challenges and best practices, including recruiting, hiring, training, retaining talent, and more.

Outcomes of past industry roundtables include the development of a new respiratory therapy apprenticeship program and promotion of a new software developer apprenticeship program, both the first of their kind in the state.

1A’s Industry Roundtable schedule for 2025 is as follows:

October 31 – Skilled Trades

If you are interested in participating in an Industry Roundtable, you can fill out the interest form linked here or contact Maggi@OneAcadiana.org.

Linking Educators with Industry

Through a grant from SoLAcc and in collaboration with LEDA, 1A launched ConnectEd Educator Professional Development in June 2024, a new program designed to link educators with industry.

Twenty career & technical (CTE) teachers from across the Acadiana region participated in the inaugural cohort, which focused on high-wage, high-demand jobs in two industries with significant workforce demand – Healthcare and Manufacturing. It featured tours of four local businesses: Stuller, Tides Medical, Ochsner Lafayette General, and SLB (formerly Schlumberger).

The ConnectEd Educator Professional Development program will continue in 2025 with four cohorts that will rotate throughout the region.

Promoting Career-Connected Learning

Work-based learning helps students develop job skills, identify career interests, and gain experience in real-world work environments. Louisiana’s new accountability formula for K-12 public schools increased the value of work-based learning with new policies to incentivize apprenticeship and internship experiences.

In partnership with State officials, local school systems, businesses, and other stakeholders, 1A will support efforts to expand high-quality work-based learning opportunities.

1A also partners with LEDA, Acadiana Workforce Solutions, local school systems, and other local economic development organizations on career fairs and industry tours, such as Manufacturing Week, which help expose students to the world of work.

Learn More about Hosting a High School Intern

If your business or organization is interested in connecting with local schools to host a high school internship or apprenticeship, contact Maggi@OneAcadiana.org or the appropriate Career & Technical Education leader for your local public school district:

You can also connect with the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) via the form at this link.

Here are some resources from LDOE that may help you get started:

• Work-Based Learning Guidelines
• Employers’ Guide to Building Internship Programs
• LDOE’s Employer Interest Form

1A ConnectEd Summit Slides

1A recently hosted the One Acadiana ConnectEd Summit in conjunction with the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), who is traveling the state to highlight successful work-based learning experiences at the local level and provide communities with practical information to develop and expand impactful career education and workforce training initiatives.

Here are links to slide decks covering some of the valuable information that was presented:

• YouthForce NOLA Presentation
• LWC Presentation on IBCs and Bundles
• LDOE Presentation on Quality CTE Programming Guidance
• Additional Slides on the LDOE Summer Internship Program with MOU Example