HARVEY, LA (November 19, 2019) — More Jefferson Parish Schools students are graduating with workforce credentials, and more of these certifications are in high-wage, high-skill fields.
JP Schools saw a 62% jump in the number of career and technical education credentials students earn annually. The Class of 2019 earned 7,444 credentials compared with the Class of 2018 who earned 4,578. The increase puts the district well on its way to achieving its goal of 9,156 a year by 2024. These industry-based credentials certify that students have the skills to enter the workforce, many in high-demand fields that can earn students paid internships or even a job before graduation.
“This puts our students on the pathway to more than just a job,” said JP Schools Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley. “It opens the door to well paying, sustainable careers that also serve as a boost to the economic development of Jefferson Parish.”
Many of the credentials students earned come from fields like engineering, medical, automotive, computer technology, and digital media. The district recently added AutoCad, Inventor, and medical assistant programs to the curriculum.
JP Schools works closely with local leaders in business and industry to continually audit its CTE offerings. The goal is to ensure the curriculum aligns with industry needs. As industries evolve and job markets shift, the district adapts what students learn to reflect those realities. The district also created a CTE advisory committee comprised of education, business, industry, and community leaders.
“By the end of next year, nearly six in every 10 jobs will require some type of education beyond a high school diploma,” said JP Schools Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley. “The work we’re doing to enhance career and technical education means more of our students are graduating high school prepared to take that next step in life.”
Numerous action steps in the district’s strategic plan, 2024: The Future Our Kids Deserve, are aimed at enhancing workforce development. District leaders are working to ensure CTE programming reflects industry needs, more students receive the support they need to earn career certifications, and more student internship opportunities are developed through partnerships with local business and industry. CTE courses are available to students in nearly all JP high schools.
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About Jefferson Parish Schools: Jefferson Parish Schools is the largest and most diverse public school system in Louisiana and the 98th largest in the nation. Our system of 82 schools serves around 50,000 students on both banks of the Mississippi River. With approximately 7,000 employees, JP Schools is one of the largest employers in Jefferson Parish. Our district exists to provide the education our students deserve to succeed in life and make our world a better place. Click here to read our strategic plan, 2024: The Future Our Kids Deserve.
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Ted BeasleyDirector of CommunicationsJefferson Parish Schools501 Manhattan Blvd | Harvey, LA 70058O: 504-365-5321 | C: 504-439-3651ted.beasley@jpschools.org | jpschools.orgWe Love | We Learn | We Lead--
Dr. Cade BrumleyJefferson Parish SchoolsSuperintendentWe Love. We Learn. We Lead.