In today’s workforce, the path to a successful career doesn’t always run through a traditional four-year degree. Across industries—from healthcare to construction—employers are looking for skilled professionals who are ready to contribute from day one. The New Orleans Career Center (NOCC) is helping meet that need by preparing young people with hands-on training, industry-based credentials, and connections to career opportunities.
Serving high school students and young adults from across Orleans Parish, NOCC provides career and technical education that bridges the gap between high school and the workforce. Through partnerships with employers, higher education institutions, and industry organizations, students gain real-world experience while exploring career pathways that lead to stable, well-paid jobs.
“For students, NOCC provides the opportunity to explore different industries and figure out what direction they want to take,” said Carlin Jacobs, NOCC’s Chief Programs Officer. “Our goal is to make sure they leave here prepared for the next step—whether that’s college, another certification program, or entering the workforce through an apprenticeship or other career pathway.”
One of the most visible areas of impact is NOCC’s Building Trades program. Students receive hands-on technical training while earning industry-recognized credentials such as OSHA 10 safety certification and NCCER Core and Levels 1 and 2 coursework. These experiences prepare graduates to pursue Registered Apprenticeships or trade union apprenticeships with contractors across the region.
Former NOCC trainee T’mon Crawford is one example of how those early experiences can shape a career. Today, Crawford is an electrical apprentice with IBEW Local 130 at Kevin Clark Electrical Services.
“I loved the fact that at NOCC I was getting the hands-on knowledge that I would need later on to advance my career as an electrician,” Crawford said. “That training is paying off now—not just in the work I do, but in the people I can influence along the way. When I go back to NOCC, I can tell students, ‘I sat in the same seats you’re sitting in.’ Now I can pass what I’ve learned on to the next generation.”
Construction and trades employers are definitely starting to take notice. “We definitely have seen an uptick in the number of students coming and getting certified and going out into that industry,” says Carlin. “We pride ourselves on being this new workforce pipeline out of high school for the building trades.”
Healthcare is another area where NOCC is helping address urgent workforce needs. Through a partnership with Delgado Community College and Ochsner Health, NOCC students can participate in a three-year Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program beginning in high school. This tuition-free program includes academic courses, hands-on skills training, and a paid LPN apprenticeship with Ochsner while completing their clinical education.
The partnership creates a direct pathway into the nursing profession while helping address Louisiana’s growing demand for healthcare workers.
Demand for NOCC’s programs is growing rapidly. For the 2025–26 academic year, NOCC welcomed its largest enrollment to date, serving more than 800 young people across Orleans Parish. The Building Trades program alone has expanded significantly since its launch, reflecting strong interest among students and strong demand from the local industry.
By combining classroom learning with hands-on training and employer partnerships, NOCC helps students build the skills, confidence, and professional networks needed to succeed after graduation.
“We’re seeing more students earn certifications and move directly into career pathways,” Jacobs said. “When education and industry work together, it creates opportunities not just for students, but for the entire community.”
HOW TO HELP
More than half of today’s jobs require more than a high school diploma but less than a four-year degree. NOCC is closing that gap by equipping young people with the credentials, confidence, and connections to thrive while helping employers fill urgent workforce needs. To learn more about industry partnerships or to volunteer, please visit nolacc.org.
1331 KERLEREC ST. NEW ORLEANS | 504.372.1502 | nolacc.org
