Research Center
Louisiana Business Profile
The Louisiana Quickstart Program
The Department of Education coordinates Quickstart, a program that is
available to new and expanding companies. Quickstart will design a specific
program, regardless of size of company, provided that at least ten (10) new
jobs will be created. The program can quickly provide industry with a pool of
skilled and productive employees for immediate work when a facility opens.
Businesses will work with the state-supported technical institutes nearest the
plant. Training can either be provided on-site at the technical institute, or
at the company facility, or a neutral site, depending upon the particular
training needs. A pre-training consultation will determine what level of
skills is required for the available jobs and a timeline and schedule is
prepared, including: preparation of training materials, recruitment and
selection of trainees; class start dates, duration and completion; employment
of instructors; training site preparation and any other pertinent issues. The
training scheduled is designed to have completion within approximately two
weeks.
Training is conducted to help prepare trainees for potential employment
opportunities in the company's new or expanding business. Successful
completion of the training program carries no obligation for trainees to
accept any offer of employment, nor is an offer guaranteed to trainees.
Supplies and materials used in the training are generally provided by the
technical institute, and sometimes the equipment used, depending on the number
of jobs created and the cost.
Since 1989, Louisiana has provided more than 50 companies with some 3,300
trained workers through Quickstart projects.
JOB TRAINING PARTNERSHIP ACT (JTPA)
The Louisiana JTPA program assists industry in selecting eligible applicants
and works to customize a training program which meets its specific
occupational skills. Reimbursement of up to 50 percent of wages paid during
the training for 50 to 60 percent of new hires is part of the program.
JTPA stresses development of job skills needed to maintain long-term and
productive employment. Involvement of local business people on the Private
Industry Councils, as well as the State Job Training Coordinating Council,
helps insure that training meets industry needs.
Educational institutions across the state including local school boards,
vocational-technical schools, up to state universities are involved in
classroom instruction as well as equipment for specialized vocational training.
Up to 50 percent of the trainee's wages are reimbursed to the employer during
the training period. Length of training varies according to the level of skill
each job requires. The employer retains the right to hire and fire, and the
employee learns the job while engaged in productive work.
LOUISIANA PUBLIC AND NONPUBLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
LOUISIANA COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGES
There are 46 vocational and technical schools throughout Louisiana with 50
campuses. The programs offered focus on occupational training designed to
provide maximum employment for students. Some of the programs offered include
marketing and business, agriculture, technology, health and trade.
SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOLS
There are seven special state schools with a little over 1,000 students
enrolled. The schools' special education programs concentrate on the visually,
hearing, and emotionally impaired.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The public school districts in Louisiana are determined based on special zone,
town, city or parish districts. The following are some facts about Louisiana
public schools: (As of 1993)
Number of Public Schools 1,441 Number of Public School Teachers 48,824 Number
of Public School Principals 1,438 Number of Public School Students Registered
771,149 Number of Public School Graduates 33,682
The enactment of the 1988 Louisiana Children First Act (CFA) began a
comprehensive state public education reform movement. The ongoing
implementation of the CFA is designed to improve both the quality of
instruction in Louisiana schools and the public accountability of the
education system.
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