At the request of the City of DeRidder and Greater Beauregard Chamber of Commerce, UpperIowaUniversity expanded their course offerings to the DeRidder area in August 2006.As a result of the success that ensued, a partnership was created amongst the Beauregard Parish School Board, the City of DeRidder, the Greater Beauregard Chamber of Commerce, and the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance, thereby creating Beauregard Education Link.The Link provides educational opportunities to local residents, thus assisting local businesses by decreasing the shortage of skilled workers.
In December 2008, three other accredited institutions of higher learning joined forces in order to provide additional post-secondary educational opportunities in Beauregard Parish. The shared goal of this partnership is to create work-ready individuals who will remain in the community after the last school bell rings.A facility has been provided as the headquarters for the program: the FirstStreetSchool located at 401 West First Street in Downtown DeRidder is a former grammar school placed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 19, 1998.The building is a two-story school enclosing approximately 58,500 square feet.Office equipment and technology have been purchased to furnish the building.
McNeeseStateUniversity currently provides computer classes as well as other adult learning courses through their CALL (Center for Adult Learning in Louisiana) program.Due to elevated interest levels and a peak in enrollment in the DeRidder courses, McNeese met with city officials last month to request additional classroom space for their growing program.
Lamar Salter Technical Institute and SowelaTechnicalCommunity College both have plans to begin their curricula this Fall.Lamar Salter’s nursing program will commence on September 1.Sowela Tech plans to offer courses that include introductions to instrumentation and process technology, medical coding and bank teller training.
The Link’s vision is aligned with the recent efforts of the State’s Workforce Commission.In July 2009, Governor Bobby Jindal launched the "Louisiana Working Tour”. Governor Jindal plans to visit every parish over the next several months, stressing the importance of job creation and workforce development to Louisiana. In keeping with his vision, the Link is a start for a better future for thousands of people in the parish.
For more information please contact Misty Clanton @337-462-8900.
