South Louisiana Community College (SLCC) has successfully enhanced technician training in Acadiana with incredible results for the college and the community. The $225,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) Advanced Technological Education (ATE) grant laid the groundwork for the college’s progressive Certified Production Technician program and helped create the region’s first certified testing center.
“We applied for this grant knowing that the training landscape is ever-changing, and we need to stay ahead when it comes to building a well-prepared workforce. These students complete the program with certifications that not only allow them to be employable but in high demand,” Tanya St. Julien, Dean of STEM at SLCC, explains.
The NSF ATE program strengthened the Industrial Technology and Industrial Electronics Technology programs at SLCC and encouraged student recruitment into technical fields. With the funds, SLCC integrated certification testing costs into the program’s tuition and became the only approved testing center in south Louisiana qualified to conduct on-site testing for Certified Production Technician (CPT) Certifications.
“These certifications strengthen the curriculum and result in less training that must be done on the industry side. Not only are our students trained in these areas; they are certified.”
The program has also resulted in industry partnership expansion, with companies partnering with SLCC to provide students with internships, scholarships, tours, and full-time employment opportunities. The numbers are impressive; the program has resulted in over 150 students earning certifications.
St. Julien explains this program is on track to produce more highly qualified technicians in fields where they are greatly needed. With the success of the program, the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council requested SLCC to host a Certified Production Technician webinar during the Spring of 2022, to better help others understand how the program has benefited the Acadiana workforce. St. Julien says SLCC is now poised to apply for more grants from NSF that will further develop the college’s offerings in technician training.
“This was our first NSF grant, and it was a fundamental starting point. The money became available in 2018, and the programs and training we implemented at SLCC will impact our region for years to come,” she says.
The grant provided the money and framework for SLCC to implement industry-based certifications and expand stackable industry credentials into the Industrial Technology and Industrial Electronics Technology programs. According to St. Julien, that framework is now in place and has positioned SLCC to respond to the dynamic technician training needs in the growing workforce.
“Our students not only gain hands-on experience in the fundamentals, but they also gain real-world critical thinking skills that are essential to that type of job. This, in turn, impacts regional industries because they are getting qualified graduates. It’s essential for our students, partners, and the community.”
Click to learn more about our Industrial Technology and Industrial Electronics Technology programs.