LAFAYETTE, La. — One Acadiana will host the 1A ConnectEd Summer Educator Workshop June 9–11, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., offering a free, three-day professional development experience for educators across the Acadiana region.
K-12 educators, counselors, and school leaders are invited to participate in this interactive workshop designed to strengthen connections between the classroom and the region’s evolving workforce. Participants will hear directly from regional employers, gain practical tools to support career-focused conversations, and engage in hands-on planning sessions to bring these insights back to their campuses. The workshop will be held in Lafayette, with sessions taking place at South Louisiana Community College, Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, and CGI across the three-day period.
Now in its third year, the workshop continues to grow as a cornerstone program of One Acadiana’s ConnectEd initiative, which focuses on fostering meaningful connections between the region’s business and education landscape. Through immersive experiences and collaborative discussions, the workshop equips educators with a clearer understanding of Acadiana’s workforce needs, emerging opportunities, and high-demand career pathways.
“This workshop is about creating real alignment between education and industry in Acadiana,” said One Acadiana President & CEO Troy Wayman. “When our educators gain insight into local career-pathways, they are better equipped to guide students toward high-wage, high-demand opportunities right here at home. This is one of the many ways One Acadiana is strengthening our workforce to support business growth, attract new opportunities, and drive long-term economic prosperity.”
Participants will engage in employer-led panels, presentations on local workforce resources, and site visits with companies including Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center and CGI. Sessions are led by regional partners including Acadiana Workforce Solutions, Lafayette Economic Development, Acadiana SHRM, UL Lafayette, SoLAcc LSUE, and others. Educators will explore apprenticeship models, career-connected instruction, and tangible insights that make industry pathways more visible and attainable for students.
The workshop is supported through the Perkins Reserve Regional Leadership grant secured by South Louisiana Community College, allowing the program to align public funding with regional workforce priorities and strengthen collaboration across K–12 education, postsecondary institutions, and industry.
“We believe the strongest workforce pipelines begin in the classroom,” said Dr. Vincent June, Chancellor of South Louisiana Community College. “ConnectEd is a powerful example of what happens when education and industry come together with intention, giving educators direct insight into workforce needs and the confidence to translate that into meaningful learning experiences. That alignment is critical to preparing students for high-demand careers and keeping talent here in Acadiana.”
By ensuring students are prepared for future success in Acadiana, the 1A ConnectEd Summer Educator Workshop reflects One Acadiana’s broader mission to build a stronger, more resilient, and coordinated regional economy.
Acadiana educators interested in participating in this free workshop can complete the interest form linked here: 1A ConnectEd Summer Educator Workshop Interest Form
To learn more about One Acadiana’s ConnectEd initiative visit OneAcadiana.org/ConnectEd
About One Acadiana
One Acadiana is the chamber of commerce for Lafayette and leading economic development organization for the nine-parish Acadiana region located in south Louisiana. The organization holds both an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) accreditation and a five-star U.S. Chamber of Commerce accreditation. With more than 700 members, One Acadiana serves as the voice of the regional business community. The organization is located in the city of Lafayette and serves a region of nearly 700,000 people with a vibrant culture and unique entrepreneurial spirit. Learn more at OneAcadiana.org.