South Louisiana Community College is launching a pilot program that will offer opportunities for dual-enrolled high school students to receive paid, hands-on training and experience in work-based settings. The new internships will allow junior and senior students to enhance what they learn in the classroom and lab settings, cultivate relationships with prospective employers, and better prepare them to enter the workforce.
“Offering this initiative in partnership with Louisiana Workforce Development Board 40 is truly a win-win for dually enrolled students, secondary and post-secondary systems, and business and industry partners in the pursuit of training and pipelining highly qualified individuals into high-wage, high-demand careers,” said SLCC Chancellor, Dr. Vincent June.
The new internship opportunities are a result of SLCC’s partnership with Louisiana Workforce Development Board #40. The LWDB #40 was forged to create paid internship opportunities for WIOA-eligible students. This pilot initiative will launch in mid-spring 2023 and is part of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs of study.
“As a proud partner of SLCC, LWDB #40 is committed to growing the region’s economy, starting with our youth. What better way of doing this than by offering game-changing opportunities to high school career students,” said Brenda Foulcard, LWDB #40 Workforce Director.
As part of the initial pilot program, this opportunity will be offered to students in select parishes throughout Acadiana. Eligible students will earn $10 per hour for up to 160 hours working as interns in fields such as Automotive, Electrician, HVAC, Medical Assisting, Oil & Gas, and Welding. Programs of study must meet the Louisiana Workforce Commission’s five-star rating system to qualify.