TALK DAT: NOLA Education
In this episode of "Talk That NOLA Education," host Dr. Jahquille Ross takes listeners inside the workforce revolution happening at the New Orleans Career Center (NOCC). Broadcasting with a full house of guests, Dr. Ross interviews the leadership team transforming how New Orleans high schoolers prepare for high-wage, high-demand careers.
Highlights from the discussion:
“Over the last five years, we've more than doubled. So 300 trainees from 17 different high schools to 660 high school students from all the open enrollment public schools in New Orleans… We've got 11 different programs but the overarching pathways... biggest pathway right now is Healthcare... We also have a Pharmacy Tech program... Carpentry, Electrical, HVAC, and Welding... Digital Media and a really awesome Culinary program aligned to the chef pathway." - Claire Jecklin
"During the design process, our leadership was very, very deliberate when working with the architects and working with industry pathway leaders just to ensure that everything in the building ties back to industry… We use the building as a teaching tool. So if you walk through the hallways, you'll see exposed ceilings, you'll see clear glass tiles... everything for trainees to see how the sausage is made.” - Harold Juluke
"So far we've partnered with roughly 24 different local construction companies. And the main goal behind that is that they come alongside us to support training and hire our trainees.” - Terrance Payne
