SCIA launches WorkIt! campaign

South Central Industrial Association has launched an extensive media campaign designed to make middle and high school students in the Tri-parishes aware of career opportunities in technical and industrial fields as part of the association’s WorkIt! Louisiana program, executive director Jane Arnette announced at the group’s monthly meeting last Tuesday.

The WorkIt! Louisiana program promotes careers in technical fields to students in the Tri-parishes.

The media campaign, which began in January, is providing classroom videos, posters, and information for school newsletters about technical education. The program is also using billboards, radio and cable television advertising to reach students outside of school.

The posters have the phrase “I can get a technical education” imposed on a photograph of a young person. The commercials show students talking about how their careers can benefit themselves and society.

Weatherford Gemoco General Manager Pat Seely pointed out local industry’s strong need for employees who are focused on their jobs and have basic skills. Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes’ unemployment rates are among the lowest in the state.

The aim of WorkIt! Louisiana’s media campaign is not to discourage high school students from furthering their education, but only 20 percent of high school students graduate and attend a university, Arnette said. All jobs do not require a four-year college degree.

Arnette said increasing numbers of students are being denied entrance to Nicholls State University or are dropping out because of tougher standards at the university.

“They graduated from high school and are seeking a future,” she said.

As part of the WorkIt! Louisiana program, South Central Industrial Association will be mailing brochures about careers in technical education to students denied entrance to Nicholls State. In addition, every graduating high school student in the Tri-parishes will receive a brochure.

Arnette said training for a technical or industrial job produces more positive things for the student than receiving a good paycheck.

“Kids who don’t go to college may not feel good about themselves,” she said. “It will maybe reduce the drug-use rate, help businesses find good employees. Firemen and police officers are noble professions.”

“We need to be proud of our area,” she said. “We’re setting the pace for our state in workforce development.”

The state Department of Labor will fund WorkIt! Louisiana through June 30, but Arnette said she will work with Tri-parish state legislators in the coming weeksto try to get continued funding for the local technical education program.