LAFAYETTE, La. – One Acadiana will bring together business, education, and community leaders on the morning of Thursday, August 27 to share the latest progress of 1A ConnectEd, the organization’s initiative connecting business and education, while sharing information on the launch of the Acadiana FAME chapter and recognizing a local partner advancing career-connected learning.
Launched in the spring of 2025, One Acadiana’s ConnectEd initiative was created to foster meaningful connection between business and education by focusing on three key pillars: Hosting Industry Roundtables, Linking Educators with Industry, and Promoting Career-Connected Learning. Key functions of the initiative include employer-led roundtable discussions focused on key sectors of Acadiana’s economy, the annual 1A ConnectEd Workshop for K–12 educators to explore local career pathways, and efforts to support internship, apprenticeship, and other career-connected learning opportunities for students.
One Acadiana will share the initiative’s progress over the past year and how employers, educators, and community partners are working together to better align classroom learning with real workforce needs. The event comes as employers across Louisiana continue to identify workforce availability as one of the region’s top economic competitiveness challenges.
“Workforce development is economic development, and One Acadiana is uniquely positioned to strengthen the region’s talent pipeline by serving as a connector of business and education,” said President & CEO of One Acadiana Troy Wayman. “Through our ConnectEd initiative, we’re leveraging this role to better prepare students for high-demand careers while ensuring employers have access to the skilled workforce needed to invest, grow, and thrive in Acadiana. We look forward to sharing the progress we’ve made and the innovative programs we’re establishing to create new opportunities for students and businesses alike.”
The program will also feature an update on Acadiana FAME, an employer-led advanced manufacturing talent pipeline being developed by One Acadiana in partnership with regional manufacturers, South Louisiana Community College, and workforce partners. This nationally recognized earn-and-learn model combines paid employment with technical and professional skill development. Earlier this year, One Acadiana was selected as one of only six organizations nationwide to receive a FAME Catalyst Grant from The Manufacturing Institute, positioning the organization to develop a local chapter. Attendees will hear the latest progress on this new pathway into advanced manufacturing careers.
Additionally, One Acadiana will present the 1A ConnectEd Award, recognizing an outstanding regional partner that is advancing career-connected learning in Acadiana. The inaugural award was presented in 2025 to The Master’s Guild for its leadership in strengthening the region’s skilled trades workforce pipeline.
The 1A ConnectEd Update is open to the public. Business leaders, educators, workforce professionals, and community members are encouraged to attend and learn how 1A ConnectEd is helping build a stronger talent pipeline. At the event, One Acadiana will distribute the 1A ConnectEd 2026 Report, outlining the purpose of the initiative, why each pillar matters, and results from the past year.
The event will be held on Thursday, August 27 from 8:00am – 10:00am at City Club at River Ranch. Registration is available at OneAcadiana.org/Register. Tickets are $25 for One Acadiana members and investors and $40 for non-members. The event is proudly presented by Ochsner Lafayette General.
Strengthening connections between business and education remains one of One Acadiana’s strategic priorities as employers seek skilled talent to support expansion and investment across the region. Through ConnectEd and the launch of Acadiana FAME, One Acadiana continues to strengthen the region’s talent pipeline by connecting employers, educators, and students around shared workforce priorities that support long-term economic growth.
About One Acadiana
One Acadiana is the chamber of commerce for Lafayette and the leading economic development organization for the nine-parish Acadiana region located in South Louisiana. With more than 850 investors, members, and partners, One Acadiana serves as the voice of the regional business community. The organization is based in the city of Lafayette and serves a region of roughly 700,000 people with a vibrant culture and unique entrepreneurial spirit.