In hopes of helping the state address its skilled worker shortage, LSU is preparing to launch both a new graduate certificate in workforce development, as well as a master’s program, that have been developed in consultation with the Louisiana Economic Development’s FastStart workforce development team, the Louisiana Workforce Commission and the state’s community and technical college system.
“We’re not going to be the ones who necessarily train the welders and other skilled workers that are needed, but our mission is to develop the professionals who will train, develop and educate the skilled workforce,” says Ed Holton, director of LSU’s College of Human Sciences & Education. “But we shouldn’t be going down this road without partners, and that’s why we’ve worked with FastStart, LWC and the community college and technical college system. They’re on the front lines of workforce development issues.”
Since last fall, LSU officials have been working with LED and others to shape the curriculum for the graduate certificate, one of 23 such post-baccalaureate certificate programs offered by the university. Students will be able to earn the credit by completing a six-course curriculum in as early as one year. The LSU Board of Supervisors OK’d creating the graduate certificate at its meeting last month, and Holton hopes the Board of Regents will give it final approval as early as March. Courses for the graduate certificate will be available exclusively online.
“We’re trying to reach across the entire state with this,” Holton says, adding students should be able to begin taking courses for the certificate as early as July. “We don’t have a set goal for the number of students we’d like to enroll, but I’d like to see within a years time at least 100 enrolled.”
As for the new master’s program in workforce development, Holton says that too should have final in-house approval by March, noting it does not need board approval. It will be offered through the College of Human Sciences & Education.
“The graduate certificate is designed for students who are unsure if they want to pursue the master’s degree, but still may want more than just the bachelor’s degree,” Holton says. “All of the coursework in the certificate program will apply towards the master’s degree should they chose to pursue it.”
As Business Report detailed in a feature from last fall, research indicates that an additional 86,300 skilled craft workers are required to construct the $80 billion worth of new plants and plant expansions already announced in Louisiana. About 35,000 of these workers are needed by 2016; an additional 51,300 are needed to replace industrial construction workers expected to leave the industry through 2016.
—Steve Sanoski
