55 by 25 2023 Report

2023 REPORT
STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS
BETWEEN INDUSTRY AND EDUCATION

THE PURPOSE
In 2019, One Acadiana and regional partners launched the 55 by 25 initiative to address the economic
and moral imperative for increasing educational attainment. To ensure Acadiana is globally competitive,
the region requires a strong and well-educated workforce. No accomplishment will be more critical to
our future as a region.
For many years, the blessings of the oil & gas industry – where one could earn a good living without
a postsecondary degree – created an environment where higher education was desirable but not
essential. As our regional economy evolves, many more of our citizens will need postsecondary
degrees and high-value credentials to equip them for good jobs and good wages.
“Increasingly, the level of education of a community’s population is becoming
a decisive factor in economic competitiveness. Firms understand the need to
operate in economies that offer a sufficient supply of workers that meet or
exceed their demands. They also know that the lack of an educated
workforce can significantly affect business performance.”
— Garner Economics,
One Acadiana Target Industry Strategy
THE VISION
• An equitable education system that meets the region’s need for talent and offers all Acadiana
residents the chance for a better life through increased educational attainment
THE GOAL
• Increasing the proportion of working-age adults in Acadiana with postsecondary degrees,
certificates, or other high-value credentials to 55% by 2025.
55 by 25 partners are focused on supporting programs and pathways that provide job seekers with
the opportunities and resources they need to gain education and training to secure good jobs and
good wages.
This year, we’re putting special focus on strengthening partnerships between industry and education.
2 1

THE DATA
THE DASHBOARD
STARTING FROM BEHIND AS A REGION
In terms of the percent of adults (age 25+) with an associate degree or higher:
• Louisiana ranks 48th as a state
• Within Louisiana, Acadiana ranks in the bottom half (5th out of 8) as a region
The good news is, Lumina Foundation estimates Louisiana ranks 4th in the nation for attainment of
postsecondary certificates and industry-recognized certifications. Evaluating postsecondary attainment
including both degrees and these short-term credentials, Louisiana ranks 44th as a state.
Understanding current educational attainment levels and tracking progress over time is critical to achieving
collective success in improving regional education outcomes. For that reason, 1A developed an interactive
data dashboard to collect and report on the latest educational attainment data for our region. The
dashboard uses data from publicly available sources like the Louisiana Department of Education and the
U.S. Census Bureau.
The dashboard answers five guiding questions with data on nine key performance indicators.
GUIDING QUESTIONS
KEY INDICATORS
PERCENT OF ACADIANA ADULTS AGE 25+ WITH A POSTSECONDARY DEGREE*
1
What is the big
picture of educational
attainment in Acadiana?
• % of adults with an associate degree or higher
2
Are Acadiana
students mastering
grade-level content?
• Mastery of 3rd grade English Language Arts
• Mastery of 8th grade math
• Average grade-level mastery by subgroup
3
Are Acadiana students
graduating high school
and ready for college?
• High school graduation rates
• ACT scores
4
Are Acadiana students
transitioning to college?
• College-going rates
• College enrollment
5
Are Acadiana students
completing college?
• College retention rates
• College graduation rates
KEY TAKEAWAYS
As of the latest Census data (for 2021), 28.1% of Acadiana adults have an associate degree or higher
level of education (up 0.6% pts from 2020). Adding in Lumina Foundation’s statewide estimate for
attainment of certificates and industry-recognized certifications (12.8%), our overall attainment rate
is 40.9%. If the current trendline continues, our overall attainment rate would reach 44.5% in 2025,
leaving us short of the 55% goal.
Additionally concerning, college enrollment numbers across the country have been trending downward
not upward, due in part to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. A recent Public Affairs Research
Council of Louisiana (PAR) report also notes the likelihood of another drop in enrollment beginning in
2025 due to a decline in U.S. birthrates that started during the Great Recession.
To get ahead of the curve, we must innovate and foster stronger partnerships between industry
and education.
Visit the 55 by 25 dashboard at
55by25Acadiana.org/TheDashboard
Select data also available via the
Vibrant Acadiana dashboard at
VibrantAcadiana.com
2 3

PARTNERSHIPS TO ALIGN EDUCATION
AND CAREERS
The Southern Region Education Board (SREB) recently published a report through its Commission on
Strategic Partnerships for Work-Ready Students on “Partnerships to Align Education and Careers.” The
commission writes:
“Today, it’s more important than ever to prepare students with the
skills they need for careers that fuel our local economies. This is
complex work, beyond the ability of K-12, higher education, adult
education, or workforce investment boards to do alone.
Through strategic industry sector partnerships, educators and
employers can align academics and work-based learning experiences
with jobs in demand in their states – improving individual lives, state
prosperity, and economic competitiveness.”
ONE ACADIANA’S INDUSTRY ROUNDTABLE SERIES
One of the ways the 55 by 25 initiative is advancing these SREB recommendations is through an industry
roundtable series.
Convened as part of One Acadiana’s Workforce & Education Committee, the quarterly industry roundtable
series brings together employers who require similar skill sets in their workforces to discuss their shared
needs with education and training providers.
The roundtables are a chance for peers within an industry to discuss their workforce challenges and best
practices, including recruiting, hiring, training, retaining talent, and more.
1A INDUSTRY ROUNDTABLES
Q3 2022
Q4 2022
Q1 2023
The report highlights several focus areas to better prepare students for in-demand jobs and help employers
meet their workforce needs, including:
›
›
›
›
›
›
INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS
Bring together employers in related business sectors with educators in local
schools and colleges.
IN-DEMAND CAREERS
Focus on career pathways for good jobs available in the region.
COMMITTED LEADERSHIP
Convene the many agencies, councils, and boards to help them agree on a
path forward.
WORK-BASED LEARNING
Promote a continuum of experiences from middle grades through postsecondary
credentials.
STRATEGIC FUNDING
Align funds from federal, state, and private sources toward the same goals.
EDUCATOR CAPACITY
Build the skills of teachers, counselors, and principals to help students explore
and prepare for careers.
OUTCOMES
HEALTHCARE
MANUFACTURING
Outcomes of past industry roundtables include the development of a new respiratory therapy
apprenticeship program and promotion of a new software developer apprenticeship program, both the
first of their kind in the state.
INDUSTRY + EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP PROFILES
INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
Learn about these apprenticeship programs and other innovative partnerships
between industry and education on the following pages:
Ochsner Respiratory Therapy Apprenticeship....................................... 6
CGI Software Developer Apprenticeship................................................ 7
SLCC Power Lineman Program................................................................ 8
SLCC Fiber-Optic Technician Program.................................................... 9
Master’s Guild of Acadiana Journeyman Initiative................................ 10
4 5

OCHSNER RESPIRATORY THERAPY APPRENTICESHIP
THE NEED: COVID-19 created an urgent need for respiratory
therapists in Acadiana.
CGI SOFTWARE DEVELOPER APPRENTICESHIP
THE NEED: There is a shortage of qualified applicants for tech jobs, particularly
among women and people of color, resulting in a need to bridge these tech
talent and diversity gaps.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
• Ochsner Lafayette General has teamed up with LSU Eunice to create a first-of-its-kind
respiratory therapy apprenticeship program.
• Through the apprenticeship, once students complete their required academic courses
(18 months), they will be employed by Ochsner to “earn while they learn” for their clinical
rotations (18 months).
• Acadiana Workforce Solutions is
providing resources such as funding
for wraparound services to ensure
student success.
• The intention is to recruit a diverse
population of students that have
traditionally been underrepresented
in the allied health workforce,
recognizing that better care comes
from better representation of the
population served.
NEXT STEP
• This pilot program is aiming to launch in fall 2023 with a cohort of 10 students.
• This model can be used for other healthcare occupations, other companies, and
other industries.
• For more information, contact Kathleen Warner, Program Director for Respiratory Care at
LSU Eunice: (337) 550-1341 // kreynold@lsue.edu
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
• In 2021, CGI piloted and executed Louisiana’s first U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
registered software developer apprenticeship program. In August 2022, CGI apprentices
completed and earned U.S. DOL software engineer journeyworker certification and were
promoted to consultants.
• Through structured training and mentorship, tech apprenticeships help build in-demand
skills to enhance CGI’s delivery capabilities to their clients.
• Apprentices attend 3-5 months of technical training, based on the desired occupational
role, before joining CGI for 12 months of on-the-job training that will equip them for a new
career in IT. During this time, apprentices grow their skills through structured technical and
interpersonal training.
• Once apprentices successfully complete 2,000 program hours, they have the opportunity
to continue their careers at CGI at a consultant level, supporting clients worldwide.
• CGI partnered with intermediary, Apprenti, to register their apprenticeships through U.S.
DOL. Apprenti, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, supports hiring partners with the creation, sourcing,
and management of apprenticeship programs.
NEXT STEP
• CGI is committed to building a new paradigm for education and employment in the
digital economy. The company is pioneering tech apprenticeship pathways that
create socioeconomic mobility for the benefit of high-potential job seekers from
diverse backgrounds.
• CGI has expanded its tech apprenticeship program to accommodate larger cohorts and
offer more occupational roles.
LEARN MORE: BIT.LY/RESPIRATORY-THERAPY
LEARN MORE: BIT.LY/CGI-SOFTWARE-DEVELOPER
6 7

SLCC POWER LINEMAN PROGRAM
THE NEED: Louisiana has a high demand for power linemen to service the area’s utility
needs and to quickly respond to outages such as those following hurricanes.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
• Utility companies Cleco, Entergy, LUS, and SLEMCO have partnered with SLCC to produce
a continuous pipeline of qualified line workers to meet the area’s needs.
• The 20-week power lineman program includes numerous industry-based credentials, such
as Class A CDL, NCCER Core, NCCER Lineman Level 1, and more.
• SLCC has also partnered with Atmos Energy and 811 to include Damage Prevention training.
• Students train alongside industry partners and their
teams at SLCC’s Acadian Campus in Crowley.
• Students also experience field observations, plant
tours, and substation tours.
• Because power lineman is a high-demand job in
Louisiana, this program has a variety of funding
options to assist with tuition.
RECENT SUCCESS
• SLCC has enrolled 152 students in the power
lineman program.
• SLCC has graduated 9 cohorts since January 2020,
with 21 students in Cohort 10 scheduled to graduate
in Spring 2023.
• Since the program’s inception, SLCC has successfully
trained 131 graduates that transitioned to fill industry
workforce needs.
NEXT STEP
• A new cohort is starting in April 2023.
• For enrollment and tuition assistance, please call
(337) 788-7526.
SLCC FIBER-OPTIC TECHNICIAN PROGRAM
THE NEED: To take advantage of federal funding to increase broadband connectivity,
there is an imminent need to increase workforce capacity to install and service this
critical new infrastructure.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
• Given federal and state initiatives to support broadband
expansion, SLCC and industry partners including Cox
Communications, System Services, AT&T, LUS Fiber, Reach4,
and more partnered to develop a fiber-optic training
program that will produce new qualified workers at an
accelerated rate.
• This 20-week program covers a variety of aspects of
broadband training from construction to fiber to the home.
• It is embedded with various industry-based credentials such
as NCCER Core, AT&T/Corning, Class A CDL, and Ditch
Witch certification.
• SLCC has also partnered with Atmos Energy and 811 to
include Damage Prevention training.
• Students experience field observations and industrysupported
lab activities.
• This program is eligible for the Retool Workforce Program,
a partnership with Acadiana Workforce Solutions that will
fund up to 40 qualified students using WIOA (Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act) resources.
• Students may also qualify for other tuition assistance
opportunities.
RECENT SUCCESS
• SLCC has a waiting list of interested students that is
continually growing while waiting on the program to launch.
NEXT STEP
• Classes will be starting soon!
• For enrollment and tuition assistance, please call (337) 788-7526.
LEARN MORE: SOLACC.EDU/CONTINUING-EDUCATION/POWER-LINE-WORKER
LEARN MORE: SOLACC.EDU/CONTINUING-EDUCATION/FIBER-OPTIC-TECHNICIAN
8 9

MASTER’S GUILD OF ACADIANA JOURNEYMAN INITIATIVE
THE NEED: There is a lack of awareness among job seekers of how and where
to start a career in the construction industry.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
• Master’s Guild of Acadiana (MGA) is a community of construction industry employers who
believe that an exceptionally skilled workforce is the key to improving the construction
industry, local economy, and communities they serve. MGA recruits people with the
willingness and capacity to learn and provides the mentorship for them to succeed.
• Through the Journeyman Initiative, MGA candidates complete a 4-week course, which
prepares them for on-the-job training in residential construction.
• Upon completion of the introductory course, MGA recruits have many opportunities for
additional training. MGA tracks their progress as they rise from apprentice to journeyman,
certifying their qualifications to supervise, train, or work independently.
• Those hired by MGA can be deployed to assist MGA member companies at sites, giving
them the chance to experience a variety of jobs and specialties until they find a good fit and
are hired by one of the employers.
• This process helps unskilled workers navigate the opportunities in residential construction
while supporting employers who need to stay focused on the job site.
BEYOND 2025
While the 55 by 25 initiative has provided a north star for increasing postsecondary attainment
in the Acadiana region, the Louisiana Board of Regents Master Plan furnishes a related north star
and talent imperative for the state. Looking beyond the 55 by 25 initiative’s time horizon of 2025,
One Acadiana will continue to promote postsecondary attainment as a key economic development
priority, and we will align our efforts with the Board of Regents Master Plan.
LOUISIANA BOARD OF REGENTS MASTER PLAN
The Louisiana Board of Regents, the state’s higher education policy board, adopted a Master
Plan in 2019 that set forth a goal of 60% of Louisiana adults holding a degree or high-value
credential by 2030. To reach this goal, the Board has established a three-part strategy to
produce 180,000 additional degree or credentials between 2022 and 2030:
RECENT SUCCESS
In the past 2 years:
NEXT STEP
• 73 candidates have completed the introductory course.
• 48 candidates have enrolled in on-the-job-training (OJT).
• 28 candidates have been offered full-time employment.
• MGA will continue to regularly offer their “Intro to Construction” course.
• They also are now providers of training for the Home Builders Institute’s PACT Certificate,
an industry-recognized and portable pre-apprenticeship credential for employment in the
U.S. construction industry.
• Anyone interested in a career in construction can reach out to the Master’s Guild of
Acadiana by calling (337) 552-6086.
Reaching these benchmarks will require innovative approaches, including new education
delivery models that weave together learning and work, aligning program offerings with
industry demand. As the Master Plan states:
“Higher education across the country has recognized the need to act as
a liaison between the student population – people in search of personal
and professional growth – and business and industry – the source of
high-wage, high-demand jobs. Aligning program offerings and curricula
with market needs is critical to building the classroom-to-work pipeline
and positioning today’s students for tomorrow’s job opportunities.”
LEARN MORE: MASTERSGUILDOFACADIANA.COM
Recently, the Board of Regents has taken steps to proactively partner with business and
industry in responding to statewide and regional market needs. Two of those steps are:
(1) Adopting a strategic degree-planning process and (2) creating a new degree type.
10 11

OTHER NEXT STEPS
STRATEGIC DEGREE-PLANNING PROCESS
To better align academic programs with employment opportunities, one of the strategies the
Board of Regents has adopted is updating its degree-planning process to take into account
economic development factors as well as industry needs.
Academic Program Proposals now include:
SUPPORTING RURAL LEARNERS
While Lafayette Parish is on track to reach the 55 by 25 goal
as a parish, more attention must be given to our rural parishes
in the Acadiana region.
1. A Career Demand
Analysis that evaluates:
real-time job postings
compared to hiring,
the current educational
contribution of Louisiana
public higher education,
and acceleration of
forecast job demand.
2. Three-year Academic
Plans with input from
economic development
and industry stakeholders
to align the institution’s
degree portfolio with
state and regional talent
pipeline needs as well as
Regents’ Master Plan.
3. A Curriculum Structure
that addresses
technical skills and
career competencies
(e.g., professionalism,
communication, digital
literacy) and incorporates
work-based or
experiential learning.
To support our rural learners, One Acadiana has been
selected by the Association of Chamber of Commerce
Executives (ACCE) Foundation to participate in an Economic
Mobility for Rural Workers Cohort.
ACCE Foundation will provide technical assistance, consulting support, peer learning
opportunities, and connections to content experts. The cohort of 11 communities from across
the country will be divided into four subgroups to pilot strategies to help low-income rural
workers secure well-paid jobs.
A NEW DEGREE TYPE: THE NEXUS DEGREE
Additionally, for the first time in more than 100 years, the Board of Regents has created a new
degree type, the nexus degree.
A nexus degree combines specialized academic coursework in a high-demand career field with
a significant work-based learning experience. It may be earned as an entry-level credential, in
combination with a traditional undergraduate degree, or after a student has already earned an
undergraduate degree, to redirect their career path or add to their credential portfolio.
21 Hours
Specialized subjectbased
content
(including at least
9 hours of
work-based learning)
NEXUS DEGREE (60 Hours)
27 Hours
Board of Regents
General Education
Requirements
12 Hours
General
Electives
Chambers of commerce and economic development organizations like One Acadiana are
uniquely positioned to build and support cross-sector coalitions that create sustained business
engagement in education and workforce development. Through facilitating connections
between employers, education and training providers, and job seekers, we can help ensure
rural learners have clear pathways to well-paid employment without relocating.
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR RETURNING LEARNERS
While many high school graduates receive funding
and assistance to enter their freshman year at a
higher education institution, fewer scholarship
opportunities exist for students continuing their
education.
One Acadiana is proud to continue our scholarship
program for returning students in the Acadiana
region, in partnership with LSU Eunice, SLCC,
Unitech Training Academy, and UL Lafayette.
The Board of Regents officially adopted the nexus degree into policy at its January 2023
meeting. Two-year and four-year institutions are now eligible to create and offer nexus degree
programs, with all new programs subject to approval by the Board.
Louisiana is the second state in the country to offer the nexus degree, which was pioneered
in Georgia. Georgia’s nexus degree offerings include aerospace, blockchain, cybersecurity,
financial technology, health informatics, information technology, and more.
LEARN MORE: ONEACADIANA.ORG/SCHOLARSHIPS
12 13

Share related activities
and success stories:
#55by25Acadiana