For the second consecutive summer the Central Louisiana Technical Community College’s Natchitoches Campus has partnered with the Natchitoches Parish School Board (NPSB) to a Jump Start Summer Program for high school students.

Jump Start is Louisiana’s new Career and Technical Education program. Through this program students earn industry credentials while still in high school. Jump Start students graduate high school prepared to secure a high-wage job and attend a technical or community college. This program represents a new paradigm for career and technical education (CTE), requiring students to attain an industry-promulgated, industry-valued credential in order to graduate high school.

“We have a great working relationship with Natchitoches Parish schools and attempt to offer our local high school students opportunities to be successful with their chosen career fields,” said CLTCC Natchitoches Campus Dean Laurie Morrow. “Students not only receive hands on training in their respective areas, but they are also involved with local business and industry. This may be through a guest speaker or plant tours.”

The students are selected based on their career pathways and the recommendation of their teachers. Students have the opportunity to earn an industry based certification and gain valuable skills.

“We are excited to continue our work with our Jump Start Summers Programs,” said NPSB Supervisor of Secondary Education Felicia Pinkney. “In addition to the camps offered in conjunction with CLTCC (Welding and Emergency Medical Responder), we also offer a Pro-Start Culinary Arts and Emergency Medical Technician camp. Students also receive stipends and high school credit in addition to the industry experiences. We are excited to continue our work with our programs next summer with hopes of expanding the student opportunities.”

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