Young Memorial expanding

State Rep. Sam Jones calls it a move to have the workforce ready.

Dean Greg Garrett said it is a move for his students, the community and the college’s business partners.

State Sen. Butch Gautreaux said the expansion is vital for growth.

And former state Rep. Carla Dartez said the expansion is a necessary tool for a student to “decide whether or not the oil industry is for them.”

Whatever the reason, the South Central Louisiana Technical College, Young Memorial Campus in Morgan City, will break ground on a $5.98 million, 23,000-square-foot expansion project today at 9 a.m.

The project is part of the Act 391 facilities project, which was passed during the 2007 Legislative Session. When the funds were approved, Dartez, Gautreaux and former state Rep. Jack Smith were in office, and Jones was part of then-Gov. Kathleen Blanco’s cabinet.

“This was an expansion funded in Gov. Blanco’s last year in office, recognizing the need to continually train a workforce in St. Mary, Assumption, Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes,” Jones said. “Young Memorial is still the world’s best marine and technology training school. And regardless any moratorium, we still have a shortage of workers. That’s never going away. We have to have a workforce ready, always.”

The South Central Louisiana Technical College Young Memorial Campus is located at 900 Youngs Road, in Morgan City.

Garrett, dean of the campus, said the expansion will ease the college’s growing enrollment, which today stands at 1,700.

“We’ve had such a significant increase in students,” Garret said. “This expansion is for our students, our community and our business partners.”

Gautreaux said Garret is to be credited for the expansion at Young Memorial.

“My hat goes off to him for his dedication, persistence and leadership,” the lawmaker said. “One of the very first visits I had in my office as a newly elected state representative was Greg Garret of Young Memorial. 

“Through the years, Greg has been singularly focused in bringing the campus and programs into the 21st century. And, although he has had to deal with severe shortages of funding at times and for year with leaky roofs and portable buildings that couldn’t be sufficiently heated or cooled, Greg has stayed the course.

“I am happy to have played a small part in a vitally important facility to our community and region,” Gautreaux said.

The project is vital for graduates who don’t intend to pursue college, according to Dartez.

“Not every graduating high school senior is college material,” she said. “Young Memorial continues to be a vital force in educating these students as well as others, stimulating them to be career movers in not only the oil industry, but in other fields.

“I believe Young Memorial is the place for someone to decide whether or not the oil industry is for them, and if so, they will find a good paying job and great satisfaction in the industry after graduating from any one of their programs.”