Occasionally needs, timing, and resources all come together to make something good happen. Such is the case with the Liberty County Workforce Academy (LCWA). Dayton High School principal, Laurie Elliott, visited a career tech campus in another city, then talked with Tim Gassiott, Dayton ISD Career Technology Director, about the campus and the wheels were set in motion to provide job skills training to high school students. Joined by Shirley Sisk that works with career counseling at Dayton High School, this threesome began meeting with colleges in the area to explore courses that could be offered to train students for jobs that were in demand.
As the plan evolved, juniors and seniors from all six high schools in Liberty County would be eligible to take courses through LCWA. Those high schools included Cleveland, Dayton, Hardin, Hull-Daisetta, Liberty, and Tarkington. The superintendents of these districts enthusiastically supported the establishment of LCWA.
In an act that is almost unheard of, four colleges agreed to join LCWA to offer courses not only to high school juniors and seniors but also adults of Liberty County. Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT), Lee College, Lone Star College at Kingwood, and San Jacinto enthusiastically work together to offer training for jobs that are available in business and industry throughout the area.
Not only has educational entities joined in this venture, but so have the communities in the county. Economic development groups in Cleveland, Dayton, and Liberty have committed to financial contributions over the next three years to help pay expenses such as tuition for students. The Texas Economic Development Council recently honored LCWA with its "Workforce Best Practices Award" for communities with a population of 40,001 - 100,000.
Liberty Workforce Academy is now in its third year and already great accomplishments have been made. In its first semester in spring 2007, 64 students took classes. To date, 529 students have taken courses through LCWA. A record 240 high school students and adults participated in the admissions process for fall 2009.
A variety of courses are offered through LCWA. LIT offers industrial maintenance, diesel mechanics, and heavy equipment operation. Process technology, professional office technology, electricity, welding, and pharmacy technology are offered through Lee College. Students acquire training in certified nurse assistant, dental assistant, phlebotomy, CAD and welding through Lone Star - Kingwood. San Jacinto offers EMT training. These courses are taught at the high school campuses two nights a week throughout the semester. Upon completion of the courses, students are eligible for certifications or their training may count toward college credit for associate's degrees. New courses are continually being considered and put into place.
When the concept of LCWA first originated, school personnel knew there was certainly an educational need for this type of training for students. Since then, the schools have learned of the tremendous demand for workers in business and industry throughout this part of the state. Approximately 50% of the students that have acquired training through LCWA have secured employment, 25% are continuing their education, and the remaining 25% have entered the military.
The basis for LCWA was to give students hope for a better future. Certainly, this hope is being realized by students as they find that they can meet the challenges of college coursework, and then find worthwhile employment. As a result of The Academy's opportunities, Liberty County will certainly reap the benefits of a trained workforce.
