The Vermilion Parish School System and Vermilion Economic Development Alliance are continuing efforts to build tomorrow’s workforce. Over the years, this partnership has resulted in the creation of the Vermilion at Work initiative, Vermilion Parish Job Fair, and Career Expo for students, which is now an annual event. Additionally, meetings with construction and industry business leaders in late 2023 have resulted in the creation of several student internship opportunities. Plans are currently underway for a lunchtime workshop on June 27, 2024, where businesses will have the opportunity to learn more about engaging with students who will soon enter the workforce.
Through the Vermilion Parish School System’s TOPS Tech Pathway, students are engaging in courses for industrial arts, healthcare, business and technology that prepare them for the next step. For some students, that means leveraging credentials and experience for a transition into the workforce immediately after graduation, while others continue their education through the community college system or other specialized training programs. According to the school system, approximately 30% of seniors are in the TOPS Tech Pathway, also commonly referred to as “JumpStart”. In Vermilion Parish, 87% of JumpStart students graduate with a post-secondary credential, that’s more than double the state average of 38%. Career preparedness starts as early as 7th grade with career exploration classes. Lonnie Richard, Vermilion Supervisor of Career Tech Education, noted, “As we continue to prepare students for the workforce, we understand that leveraging partnerships with area businesses offers real-world experience and hands-on training that uniquely prepares them for their next step. Through our collaboration with VEDA, we hope to connect with the business community and increase opportunities for our students to prepare for their future.”
Business outreach by the economic development team has continually identified workforce as one of the leading priorities for Vermilion businesses. According to Workforce Committee Chair, Claire Broussard, “It just makes sense for us to partner with the school system. We want to be a conduit of information between the business community and students. The goal is to teach them about job opportunities here in Vermilion Parish, while providing businesses an opportunity to be a part of the educational process.” The upcoming lunch event is available to all Vermilion Parish businesses who are interested in engaging with the Vermilion Parish School System and students as a component of their workforce and recruitment strategy.
In late 2023, VEDA hosted an event with a core group of construction and industrial businesses to discuss internships. The Vermilion Soil & Water Conservation District participated in the event and was able to offer an internship for the spring term. Mitzi Dohrman shared positive feedback about the experience noting, “Lonnie Richard, Vermilion Parish School System, along with several high school agricultural teachers, worked with our conservation district to create an opportunity for a student to experience conservation field work alongside our partner technicians. As a result, we have gained a long-term employee with training and experience who is hard-working, dependable and dedicated to our goal of conservation in Vermilion Parish.”
Vermilion Economic Development and the Vermilion Parish School System invite local businesses to join them for the lunch event on June 27, from 11:30am – 1pm, at the Abbeville Event Center, 1907 Veterans Memorial Drive. Free lunch will be provided for those who register by Monday, June 24. Simply contact the VEDA team at 337-740-0433 or click here to register.