LAFAYETTE, La. - More than 600 Louisiana educators today convened for the 2017 Jump Start Super Summer Institute, a five-day professional development event designed to enhance career and technical education statewide. The annual event, which this year attracted more attendees than ever before, provides secondary and post-secondary educators with the opportunity to attend training sessions and earn Industry-Based Certifications aligned with the Jump Start pathways they teach.
Jump Start, Louisiana's premier career and technical education program,prepares high school students to secure careers in our state's leading industries. Students enroll in a specialized progression of courses called pathways to attain industry-promulgated and valued credentials in order to graduate with a career diploma or to enhance their university-preparatory diploma. There are currently 49 pathways, and regional teams are developing more.
"A record number of Louisiana educators are not just attending annual the Jump Start Super Summer Institute; they are earning certifications and taking that knowledge and experience back to their classrooms," said State Superintendent John White. "By upgrading their own training and certification, Louisiana educators are leading their students to build a solid foundation of work skills and academic competencies. That foundation is critical for students wanting to continue their education and training after high school and find success in a high-wage, high-demand career."
The Jump Start Super Summer Institute, co-hosted by the Louisiana Department of Education, South Louisiana Community College and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, is now in its fourth year and has provided Louisiana teachers with nearly 900 certifications to date.
This year, 25 certification training courses will be offered within the following industries:
- Construction Crafts: National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Carpentry Level I and II, NCCER Core, NCCER Electrical Level I, NCCER Instructor Certification Training, NCCER Welding Level I and II
- Business Management and Administration: Micro-Enterprise (Regional and Statewide)
- Health Science: Basic Life Support CPR Provider, Basic Life Support Instructor, Certified Patient Care Technician, Emergency Medical Responder - Initial and Refresher
- Hospitality and Tourism: ServSafe Food Protection Manager
- Information Technology: Adobe Certified Associate Dreamweaver, Flash Professional, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Premier Pro; Autodesk AutoCAD Certified User; CIW Web Foundations Associate Internet Business Associate; Computing Technology Industry Association
- Transportation, Distribution and Logistics: Automotive Service Excellence
The Micro-Enterprise credential course is a new addition to the list of offerings. The credential, approved earlier this year by the Louisiana Workforce Investment Council, helps high school students master a series of advanced entrepreneurship and small business leadership skills. More than 200 educators will be training to attain the Regional Micro-Enterprise Credential, as well as the new statewide one.
The training courses will be taught by industry-certified instructors from high schools, colleges, private companies, or the certifying agencies who oversee the certification. At the conclusion of each session, participants will be required to take a test, and those who successfully pass will be certified in the career field they studied.
The Jump Start Super Summer Institute kicks off an exciting year for the program. In 2017-2018:
- Students will graduate for the first time with either a TOPS University Diploma or a Jump Start Career Diploma;
- This year's pilot Jump Start Summers program, in which students earn academic credits and industry-based credentials while honing their workplace "soft skills" and receiving a summer wage, will be expanded to more students in more school systems; and
- More students will participate in high-quality workplace-based learning through interactions with in-person and virtual mentors, including experts dedicated to mentoring students with disabilities and students in alternative school settings.
For updates about the 2017 Super Summer Institute, follow the Jump Start on Twitter @JumpStart4LA. Event participants are encouraged to use the hashtag #SSI2017.
To watch a live stream of Louisiana Superintendent John White's opening remarks, tune in here at 8 a.m. on Monday, July 17, 2017.
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