Workforce

Making Makers

Companies experience more than success here, they experience an ecosystem of interconnected businesses and people. We’re an innovative region, known for ingenuity and resourcefulness, so it’s no surprise that we’re home to some impressive “makers,” from one of the world’s largest jewelry manufacturers and suppliers (Stuller), to a leading designer and manufacturer of boats for military, law enforcement, and commercial operators (Metal Shark Boats).

Businesses thrive here because they leverage the success that comes from a talented workforce. This region is home to a growing talent-pipeline shaped by long-standing sectors like oil and gas, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing. And it continues to be cultivated by demand from sectors like software and aviation.

Technology Worker

“Unparalleled fiber-optic network, paired with strong partnerships between innovative businesses and local educators to build a talented homegrown workforce, made choosing South Louisiana as the location of CGI’s fourth U.S. onshore IT services Center of Excellence an easy choice.”

William Labar
Vice President of Consulting Services
CGI

“With the area’s qualified workforce and strong business environment we’ve seen our ship building enterprise thrive and expand.”

Chris Allard
CEO
Metal Shark

“South Louisiana’s ability to produce a skilled workforce and quality of life are only the beginning. This [Acadiana] region has what companies need for longevity and has allowed McIlhenny Company to thrive world-wide for 150 years.”

Tony Simmons
CEO
McIlhenny Company
(Producer of TABASCO®Brand Products)

Where Education Meets Passion

Training Excellence

Our employers enjoy access to LED Faststart, ranked the nation’s #1 workforce development program for thirteen consecutive years, according to Business Facilities. Recognized for its innovation, effectiveness, flexibility and efficiency, this program creates customized workforce recruitment and training solutions to eligible companies, for free.

Learn more about LED FastStart

Partnerships across higher education institutions and businesses have brought responsive, top-notch training to the forefront, meaning major employers from a variety of industries hire from a highly-trained talent base.

Aviation

Thanks to strong public-private partnerships in the region, business leaders take part in strategic conversations with higher education institutions like the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (an R1 designated research institution), Louisiana State University Eunice, and South Louisiana Community College. Initiatives born from these conversations include SLCC’s International School of Aviation Excellence, which brought a pilot training program to the community college, while expanding its current Aviation Maintenance Technology Program. The new 11,250 square-foot training facility sits on 5.54 acres of land adjacent to Acadiana Regional Airport in New Iberia.

Collaborating To Reemploy Workers

Acadiana Opportunity

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, regional partners are collaborating to retrain and reemploy workers in the South Louisiana region. The Acadiana Opportunity portal connects workers who lost a job as a result of COVID-19 with a workforce representative who will determine their eligibility for funding to defray the cost of enrolling in training / certification classes or will help direct the individual in their job search. Youth age 16-24 can also apply for similar grant funding intended to support paid work experience.  Additionally, the portal provides links to relevant postsecondary programs at South Louisiana Community College, Louisiana State University Eunice, and University of Louisiana Lafayette, as well as local career assistance resources.
Learn more about Acadiana Opportunity
Acadianaopportunity Solawebsite