GNO Inc. launches STEM initiative
Greater New Orleans Inc. has launched the Greater New Orleans Region One Center of STEM as one of Louisiana’s Regional STEM Network Centers.
The Louisiana Board of Regents LaSTEM Advisory Council created nine regional STEM Network Centers, which operate as a system of STEM leadership entities positioned across Louisiana to improve access to STEM education, participation and advancement. This includes closing the opportunity gap for underserved and underrepresented populations to engage in Louisiana’s STEM workforce.
The initiative will work closely with stakeholders across the region to develop programming that is innovative, collaborative and industry-driven to increase diverse STEM talent pipelines.
The initiative brings together a network of partners from higher education, nonprofits, economic and workforce development, and pre-K-12. GNO Inc. hired a STEM director, Daphine Barnes, to oversee GNOrocs and to assist with the development and rollout of programming.
LSU commits to first global engagement strategy
LSU is one of 13 colleges and universities participating in the 19th cohort of the American Council on Education Internationalization Lab, which is designed to provide customized guidance and insight to help institutions achieve their internationalization goals.
As a leader in higher education strategy, the council has supported more than 170 colleges and universities in their pursuit of global engagement since 2002.
Over the next 14 months, LSU’s ACE Internationalization Lab leadership team and subcommittees will work toward issuing a strategic and tactical plan to present to the president and provost for implementation by December 2022. To achieve this goal, these subcommittees will work collaboratively with faculty, staff and students from various sectors of the university. LSU will receive guidance from an appointed council adviser, who will assist with the internationalization planning process.
“LSU is a flagship university, and international activity is not new to our institution. This internationalization lab process will give us the opportunity to collectively think about what has happened here in terms of global engagement, and what might happen on an institutional scale. I am excited to work with colleagues from across the university as we try to unveil our potential as a leader on the world stage,” said Samba Dieng, LSU’s senior internationalization officer and executive director of International Programs.
Operation Spark set to launch coding bootcamp
Operation Spark, a nonprofit tech bootcamp, is offering free two-week introduction to coding class monthly.
The prep program classes will start Monday and Jan. 3. Candidates must participate in a virtual information session at operationspark.org/info-session.
“Prep is the first phase of Operation Spark’s 6-month workforce program of intensive learning for a high-wage, high-demand job in tech. It gives students the opportunity to try their hand at software programming without a full-time or financial commitment,” said John Fraboni, founder of Operation Spark. “Through our partnership with Employ BR, qualified East Baton Rouge residents can continue on to Bootcamp with the help of a WIOA grant.” Operation Spark also offers financial aid to help qualified applicants with living expenses.
The minimum tech requirements for participation in the Info Session and Prep program are a laptop, desktop or Chromebook, and a stable internet connection.
Twice daily we’ll send you the day’s biggest headlines. Sign up today.
Acadian launches second accelerated EMT program
Acadian Ambulance and the National EMS Academy are kicking off their second round of accelerated emergency medical technician classes across south Louisiana.
The program will select people interested in earning their EMT certification and pay them while they are in training. Upon successful completion, they will then serve as EMTs.
Compared with the traditional EMT program, which takes four months to complete, the accelerated program is a seven-week course. Acceptance into the program is competitive. Acadian will cover the fees and costs of the course. While in school, the student will earn $11 an hour.
The last day to apply for the program is Dec. 23, and the courses will begin Jan. 10. Classes will be held in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Houma.
To learn about the program or to apply, visit nationalemsacademy.com/programs/medic-training/.
Metal Shark delivers ship to Mississippi pilots
Boat builder Metal Shark has delivered a 55-foot welded aluminum pilot boat to the Pascagoula Bar Pilots Association in Mississippi.
The second Metal Shark pilot boat to join the Pascagoula Pilots fleet, the “Singing River Island” represents the latest evolution in the Louisiana-based builder’s growing Defiant-class pilot boat lineup. It was designed by Metal Shark’s in-house engineering team and built at the company’s Franklin shipyard.
LED to hold manufacturing career fair Wednesday
LED FastStart will host a virtual career fair to connect job seekers with manufacturing opportunities in Louisiana from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Eleven companies will participate:
- 1,4GROUP (Skyfall Biologicals, LLC) in Ascension Parish
- AFCO in Alexandria
- Bollinger Houma Shipyard in Houma
- Canfor Southern Pine in DeRidder
- Citadel Completions in Lake Charles
- Hubig’s Pies in New Orleans
- KME Ferrara in Holden
- SafeSource Direct in Lafayette
- Southland Steel in Amite and Greenburg
- Syrah Technologies in Vidalia
- Vidalia Mills in Vidalia
Job seekers will have the opportunity to explore the employers’ virtual booths, research the companies and see the opportunities for which they are best suited. Registrants also can participate in one-on-one, text-based chats with company representatives. To register, visit the Brazen registration page.