NEW ORLEANS (press release) – The New Orleans Career Center, which empowers New Orleanians to pursue fulfilling careers, has released its 2023 Impact Report. In addition to showcasing the center’s growth over the past year, the report highlights trainees’ accomplishments in five of the region’s strongest industries (healthcare, engineering, culinary arts and hospitality management, building trades and digital media). Through the center’s programs, trainees gain the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve career satisfaction, find financial stability and choose their own futures.
In 2023, NOCC moved into its new, custom-designed building at 1331 Kerlerec St. Also, in partnership with Ochsner Health and Delgado Community College’s Charity School of Nursing, NOCC welcomed its inaugural class of trainees working to become licensed practical nurses one year out of high school. Additionally, the center’s high school programs expanded to include building trades and digital media. Of the advanced credentials earned by Orleans Parish high school students, 76 percent were earned at NOCC. Additionally, the NOCC team grew to 32 expert industry trainers and education leaders.
Per the report, NOCC’s largest program—healthcare—is addressing the region’s worker shortage. For example, the report states that Louisiana’s nursing shortage will reach 6,000 jobs by 2030. However, NOCC certified more than 160 healthcare trainees (most of whom were previously un- or underemployed) as medical assistants and patient care technicians in 2023—with many en route to becoming registered nurses or licensed practical nurses.
Meanwhile, one of NOCC’s original training options—engineering—offers both certification in engineering design software and the opportunity to enroll simultaneously in the University of New Orleans’ introductory engineering courses. NOCC’s engineering trainees learn directly from professionals at some of the region’s top employers (such as Entergy and NASA Michoud Assembly Facility). Per the report, 56 percent of trainees earned their Autodesk Inventor certification in 2023.
In the culinary arts and hospitality management program, which qualifies graduates for mid-skill kitchen, front-of-house and hospitality jobs, 100 percent of trainees earned dual credits from Nunez Community College. Additionally, 89 percent of trainees earned Serv Safe and/or Guest Service Gold credentials (typically held by industry managers).
The new building trades pathway, which launched last year, follows the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum adopted by North America’s Building Trades Unions. This curriculum certifies trainees who can then further their trade in carpentry, electrical, welding or HVAC. According to the report, $4.4 billion in federal infrastructure investment in Louisiana will require a larger workforce, and the program will help prepare trainees for more than 12,000 new jobs that will be created by 2026.
Finally, 87 percent of trainees in NOCC’s new digital media training program (which prepares locals for jobs in digital marketing, entertainment and business-to-business communications) earned Adobe Photoshop and/or Adobe PremierPro certifications. NOCC expects more than 5,000 new jobs in this category to be added to the Greater New Orleans region by 2026.
This year, NOCC will be adding more training options for adults in the fields of HVAC, pharmacy tech and emergency medical services.
For more, download the report.
