Louisiana Central kicked off their inaugural Manufacturing Career Camp in which high school sophomores and juniors are #ExploringtheOpportunities that Central Louisiana’s manufacturing sector has to offer. Schools represented at this year’s camp include Pineville High School, Grant High School, Acellus Homeschool, Buckeye High School, Red River Charter Academy, Holy Savior Menard, Bolton High School, and Alexandria Senior High School.
“Creating opportunities for hands-on learning outside of a traditional classroom setting are crucial for students to gain excitement about career paths. Participating students get a diverse look at the career options available in Central Louisiana at manufacturing facilities,” said Javonti Thomas, Program Coordinator at Louisiana Central.
From June 5 to June 9, camp participants tour local manufacturing facilities, participate in hands-on activities, learn about the products created in Central Louisiana, and see how the manufacturing process works in the real world. Students are also exposed to exciting educational opportunities in manufacturing at local colleges, and are delivered educational demonstrations from instructors at Central Louisiana Technical Community College.
“The Louisiana Central Manufacturing Career Camp was developed with guidance by our Manufacturing Council,” Lafe Jones, Vice President and Executive Director of Industry Relations at Louisiana Central said. “Over the next few years, research indicates that hundreds of new manufacturing jobs will come from existing and new industries in the region. Our sponsoring manufacturing partners are giving on-site demonstrations to high schoolers during this camp, while they expose them to the diversity of jobs available now and in the future, as well as the training required for these jobs.”
Sponsoring manufacturing companies include LaSalle Lumber Company, LLC., Crest Industries, LLC., UTLX Manufacturing, LLC., Procter & Gamble, AFCO Industries, Inc., Cleco, Boise Cascade, RoyOMartin, Plastipak Packaging, Inc., Hayes Manufacturing, and Manchac Technologies, LLC.
“This camp would not be possible without our supporting manufacturing sponsors,” Jones said. “In addition, we appreciate Central Louisiana Technical Community College for being a host site for the camp, and United Way of Central Louisiana for providing volunteers for the camp.”
Louisiana Central continues to find innovative ways to implement collaborative opportunities to understand and navigate through the sector’s current and future workforce challenges. Exploratory opportunities like Manufacturing Career Camp allow young and aspiring youth to gain exposure to impactful and fulfilling careers in the Central Louisiana region.
