Northwest Louisiana Technical College (NWLTC) and North Louisiana Economic Partnership (NLEP) have joined forces with private sector companies to enhance training for skilled trades in North Louisiana. Greenlee, an industrial and electrical tool company headquartered in Rockford, IL, installed a NWLTC/Green Apple Lab at the NWLTC - Minden Campus. Red Ball Oxygen, headquartered in Shreveport, LA, along with Miller Electric and Lincoln Electric, also provided welding equipment at an education discount for NWLTC's new welding program at its Minden campus. Both learning labs were unveiled as part of NWLTC's Grand Opening of its new Workforce Development Center in North Louisiana.
"The mission of NWLTC is to provide the citizens of Northwest Louisiana with opportunities for educational, economic, professional and personal development," said Dianne Clark, Interim Director, NWLTC. "This new facility represents the best use of our resources to enable us to work collaboratively with community, business, education, economic and nonprofit partners."
Through partnerships with Greenlee, Red Ball Oxygen Company, Miller Electric and Lincoln Electric, the NWLTC Workforce Development Center is now equipped with state-of-the art electrical and welding training equipment. The facility provides a combination of customizable classroom, lab and conference space designed to provide multi-purpose functionality.
"Partnerships with companies like Greenlee, a former NLEP client, and with Red Ball Oxygen, an NLEP investor, help elevate the quality of our workforce training programs and enhance North Louisiana's industrial workforce pipeline," said Scott Martinez, CEcD, NLEP President. "A quality workforce makes North Louisiana an even more desirable place for new companies to locate and allows existing manufacturers to expand."
NLEP, an Accredited Regional Economic Development Organization, recruited Greenlee to visit the region in 2014. North Louisiana's workforce made a lasting impression. Two years later, the company returned to the region with the vision of creating its first Green Apple Lab housed at a technical college. NLEP helped facilitate Greenlee's discussions with higher education and workforce partners.
"We were impressed with North Louisiana's workforce and the working relationships between economic development, workforce and higher education partners," said Steve Lehr, Director, Greenlee Vocational Business Development. "The region understands the importance of a trained workforce in skilled trades. The NWLTC/Green Apple Lab, powered by Greenlee, will help train workers for the electrical fields while benefiting local employers and improving skill levels and wages."
The NWLTC/Green Apple Lab will complement NWLTC's current curriculums, providing hands-on learning for the electrical trade. Students can earn accredited certificates in the skilled trades, including the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Electrician Level 1, 2, and 3 and Technical Studies as well as a Technical Diploma in Commercial Wiring.
In addition, Greenlee's partnership with National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) allows students to earn stackable and transportable industry certifications that are recognized across the nation. Students enrolled in Commercial Wiring, Industrial Electrician and Industrial Instrumentation will also benefit from the versatility and comprehensiveness covered in the NWLTC/Green Apple Lab.
Next door is a space for welding training with equipment provided by Red Ball Oxygen, Miller Electric and Lincoln Electric at an educational discount. Red Ball has been a driving force behind new welding training programs throughout North Louisiana. The company was instrumental in the development of Bossier Parish Community College's Advanced Welding program and its Advanced Welding Classroom and Learning Lab.
"Skilled welders are in critical shortage and this initiative represents a concrete step in the right direction," said Bob Ewing, President, Red Ball Oxygen Company. "We applaud NWLTC and NLEP for their leadership, and we will continue to support those who provide welding education. We are also proud to represent our manufacturer partners, Miller Electric and Lincoln Electric, who provided deep discounts to support this essential project. It takes a team to make an impact, and North Louisiana has a good one."
The Workforce Development Center represents the final phase of new construction for the NWLTC - Minden campus. The 6,800 sq. ft. center supports the college's mission to meet the needs of North Louisiana's workforce and regional employers.
For more information contact:
Northwest LTC - Minden Campus
9500 Industrial Drive
Minden, LA 71058
318-371-3035
www.nwltc.edu
North Louisiana Economic Partnership
333 Texas Street, Suite 411
Shreveport, LA 71101
www.nlep.org