Based on the Workforce focus Group discussions, Workforce Development data analysis report, SWOT Analysis, and resources from the Workforce Development Resource Guide, the following goals, objectives, and action plans are tailored to address the labor force challenges, out-commuting trends, aging population, and industry-specific workforce needs in the CRPC region.
GOAL 1 – Enhance Workforce Participation and Engagement
OBJECTIVE
Increase labor force participation rates in parishes like East Feliciana and St. Helena, which face challenges such as aging populations, limited job opportunities, and high unemployment.
ACTION 1.1
- Collaborate with local educational institutions to offer workforce training and adult education programs targeting underemployed and unemployed populations.
ACTION 1.2
Assist in developing outreach programs to re-engage the population not in the labor force, focusing on older workers and those without post-secondary education.
TIMELINE: Year 1-3
BUDGET: $00
POTENTIAL PARTNERS:
- Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS)
- Workforce Development Boards
- One-Stop Centers
EVALUATION OUTCOME:
Increase labor force participation by 10% in East Feliciana and St. Helena parishes.
TIMELINE: Year 1-3
BUDGET: $00
POTENTIAL PARTNERS:
- Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC)
- LED FastStart
- Local chambers of commerce
EVALUATION OUTCOME:
Engage 500 individuals in workforce training and reemployment initiatives.
GOAL 2 – Reduce Out-Commuting and Promote Local Employment
OBJECTIVE
Reduce the high out-commuting rates in parishes like St. Helena (70.6%) and West Baton Rouge (63.8%), by creating more local employment opportunities.
ACTION 2.1
Incentivize local businesses to expand and hire locally by offering tax breaks and wage subsidies.
ACTION 2.2
Develop and promote remote work programs for businesses, allowing employees to work closer to home, particularly in rural parishes.
TIMELINE: Year 2-5
BUDGET: $00
POTENTIAL PARTNERS:
- Louisiana Economic Development (LED)
- Louisiana Workforce Commission
EVALUATION OUTCOME:
Reduce out-commuting by 10% in high-outbound parishes.
TIMELINE: Year 2-5
BUDGET: $00
POTENTIAL PARTNERS:
- Local governments
- Workforce Development Boards
- LED FastStart
EVALUATION OUTCOME:
Increase local employment by 5% in targeted parishes through remote work opportunities.
GOAL 3 – Address Workforce Aging and Support Healthcare Services
OBJECTIVE
Tackle the economic strain caused by an aging population in parishes like Pointe Coupee (29% aged 60 and over) by training healthcare workers and providing services to elderly residents.
ACTION 3.1
Expand training programs for healthcare professionals to meet the growing demand for elderly care services in high aging population parishes.
ACTION 3.2
Provide incentives for healthcare providers to establish facilities in rural areas like Pointe Coupee and St. Helena.
TIMELINE: Year 1-5
BUDGET: $00
POTENTIAL PARTNERS:
- Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS)
- Council on Aging
- Local healthcare providers.
EVALUATION OUTCOME:
Train 1,000 healthcare professionals over five years.
TIMELINE: Year 2-4
BUDGET: $00
POTENTIAL PARTNERS:
- Louisiana Economic Development (LED)
- Local hospitals
- Workforce Development Boards
EVALUATION OUTCOME:
Increase access to healthcare services for 2,500 elderly residents in high-need areas.
GOAL 4 – Improve Transportation and Reduce Commute Times
OBJECTIVE
Reduce long commute times in parishes like West Baton Rouge and Livingston by improving public transportation and creating more local job opportunities.
ACTION 4.1
Expand public transportation options to reduce commute times and improve access to job centers.
ACTION 4.2
Assisting or provide vanpool subsidies, support carpooling and ride-sharing programs to reduce the burden of long commutes for workers through Commuter Krewe.
TIMELINE: Year 1-4
BUDGET: $00
POTENTIAL PARTNERS:
- CATS
- Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD)
- Workforce Development Boards
- Council on Aging
- Local transit authorities
EVALUATION OUTCOME:
Decrease mean commute times by 10% in West Baton Rouge and Livingston.
TIMELINE: Year 1-3
BUDGET: $00
POTENTIAL PARTNERS:
- Local governments
- Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC)
EVALUATION OUTCOME:
Increase carpool participation by 20% in parishes with long commutes.
GOAL 5 – Expand Workforce in High-Demand Sectors and Industry Clusters
OBJECTIVE
Support growth in high-demand sectors like Health, Construction, Manufacturing, and STEM fields by offering specialized training programs.
ACTION 5.1
Collaborate with local businesses to offer apprenticeships and vocational training in construction and manufacturing, targeting parishes with high location quotients in these industries (e.g., Ascension, Iberville).
ACTION 5.2
Enhance STEM education and career readiness programs to address growing demand for high-skilled workers in sectors like Computer, Engineering, and Science.
TIMELINE: Year 1-5
BUDGET: $00
POTENTIAL PARTNERS:
- LED FastStart
- Local manufacturers
- Louisiana Community and Technical College System
EVALUATION OUTCOME:
Train 500 workers annually in construction and manufacturing.
TIMELINE: Year 1-5
BUDGET: $00
POTENTIAL PARTNERS
- Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC)
- Local educational institutions
- Jump Start program
EVALUATION OUTCOME:
Increase in STEM-related job placements by 15% over five years.
ACTION 5.3
Continue to support the Health Sector’ specifically the bioscience industry similar to the REACH Project.
ACTION 5.4
Support workforce development program tailored around nature-based solutions through NOAA’s GulfCorps and Region 7 and 9 Watershed Planning efforts
TIMELINE: Year 1-5
BUDGET: $00
POTENTIAL PARTNERS:
- Baton Rouge Health District
- River Parishes Community College
- LSU
- SU
EVALUATION OUTCOME:
Increase investment opportunities by 10% and enrollment by 10%.
TIMELINE: Year 1-5
BUDGET: $00
POTENTIAL PARTNERS
- AmeriCorps
- DOI
- USDA
- DOL’s youth corps programs
- Tribal Conservation Corps
- Volunteers.gov
- Job Corps
- Registered Apprenticeships, Pre-apprenticeships
- DoD SkillBridge
- DOI Maintenance Action Teams
- Workforce efforts launched in the National Nutrition Strategy
EVALUATION OUTCOME:
xxx
ACTION 5.5
Develop an ecosystem platform to support and enhance regional entrepreneurship and small business development programs and resources.
TIMELINE: Year 1-5
BUDGET: $00
POTENTIAL PARTNERS:
- LSU Ag Center/Food Incubator
- Research Park/NexusLA
- LSU Innovation Center
- LSU Student Incubator
- Southern University Innovation Center
- Southeastern Small Business Development Center
- BRAC
EVALUATION OUTCOME:
Entrepreneurship ecosystem map that identifies gaps.
GOAL 6 – Promote Workforce Equity and Inclusion
OBJECTIVE
Ensure that workforce development initiatives are inclusive and accessible, particularly for disadvantaged communities and rural populations. Assist in our communities, workers, and the industrial sector in decarbonization efforts and processes that ensure a just, and equitable industrial transformation in the capital region.
ACTION 6.1
Develop targeted workforce programs for underrepresented groups, including rural communities and low-income populations.
ACTION 6.2
Increase funding for childcare services to support workers with non-traditional hours, enabling more participation in the labor force.
TIMELINE: Year 1-5
BUDGET: $00
POTENTIAL PARTNERS:
- BRAC
- Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC)
- Local non-profit organizations
- Workforce Development Boards
EVALUATION OUTCOME:
Engage 1,000 individuals from disadvantaged communities in workforce training programs.
TIMELINE: Year 2-4
BUDGET: $00
POTENTIAL PARTNERS
- Local childcare providers
- Louisiana Department of Education (DOE)
- Workforce Development Boards
EVALUATION OUTCOME:
Establish 200 new childcare slots for workers with non-traditional hours.
ACTION 6.3
Assist in the capacity of the Capital Region’s technical colleges, universities, and governmental workforce development programs to deliver training relevant for new low-carbon job opportunities, in conjunction with industry partners.
ACTION 6.4
Assist in creating educational and career preparation programs at the K-12 level that can raise awareness about low-carbon industries and equip students with required skills, with a focus on reaching marginalized individuals.
TIMELINE: Year 2-4
BUDGET: $00
POTENTIAL PARTNERS:
- FUEL
- BRNEDD
- Southern University
EVALUATION OUTCOME:
20% increase in programs.
TIMELINE: Year 2-4
BUDGET: $00
POTENTIAL PARTNERS
- Local School Systems
EVALUATION OUTCOME:
10% increase in programs.