There have been billions of dollars in economic development wins over the last couple of years in Louisiana. These opportunities have come to every region – opportunities that build optimism across our state – opportunities that will benefit thousands of our citizens.
This did not happen because Louisiana followed the status quo. It happened because our Governor and legislature initiated reform efforts in economic development, workforce development, insurance, and tax policy.
If our state is to be successful, business CEO’s along with civic, higher education and government leaders will have to work together to “stick the landing” for all these fantastic economic development projects. Sticking the landing will require an intense concentration on development of Louisiana’s present and future workforce.
This year, Leaders for a Better Louisiana have been deeply involved in several pieces of legislation that make up a comprehensive set of workforce development priorities. In the area of change to the structure of Louisiana Works, we join with N W Louisiana legislators State Senator Adam Bass and State Representative Dennis Bamburg in carrying bills to transform workforce development in our state.
Senator Bass proposes modernization and greater flexibility in Louisiana’s Incumbent Worker Training Program – concentrating efforts on funding in areas of significant job shortage in our state. He notes, “If we want to grow Louisiana’s economy, we don’t just recruit new business – we invest in the people already driving it. That’s exactly what SB383 does”.
Representative Bamburg proposes the creation of the Louisiana Talent Accelerator – a new office in Louisiana Works with the sole mission to address the workforce challenges of Louisiana businesses – both new and established.
Representative Bamburg notes, “With the unprecedented economic investment in every region of our state, we have created the need for a business facing organization that has the ability to meet current employer workforce needs at the speed of business. The Louisiana Talent Accelerator will be the “one stop” organization that will handle coordinating the many needs of our Louisiana employers.”
Better Louisiana will also work in this year’s session to pass legislation to strengthen exposure of our students to more career opportunities as well as create a new Workforce Instructor Capacity Investment Program to ensure we have the instructors we need to teach the in-demand skills our businesses are looking for.
Louisiana has made huge strides in its education offerings for our families. When we see education ratings now, we don’t automatically go to the bottom of rankings to find our state. Our schools are advancing changes that have led to great improvement in our education systems.
The next step is to build opportunities for those students to have good jobs. It will take reshaping workforce solutions. The idea is to change the timeline from building for election cycles to building for future generations. If we grow jobs at the same time we improve education, we will have the Louisiana we have worked toward for decades.
Dr. Philip Rozeman, Chairman of Leaders for a Better Louisiana.