With turnarounds, new plants, current plant expansions and expected retirements, the corridor of the River Parishes is looking to the future of thousands of construction and permanent jobs.

These jobs are real and offer well paid positions with benefits to our local residents. Now is the time to train for those positions. Process operators, instrumentation technicians, welders, refrigeration and millwrights maintenance are all jobs in demand.

The training process is short compared to a four year university degree and the starting salaries much more attractive.

South Central Louisiana Technical College has openings in all of these programs and will be registering for the Spring Semester beginning Monday. Financial Aid is available to those who qualify.

New rules for Pell Grants allow you to use last year’s tax return to qualify for the 2017 school year. There is no need to wait until March or April to file the current year tax return in order to have the funds you need to attend school.

The future for excellent, steady employment is here right now. There is no longer a need for residents to move away to earn the high wages they deserve. Internships and apprenticeships are regaining their popularity for hands-on training, with seasoned Craftsman and you earn while you learn.

With the support of Industry partners, parish governments, school systems and South Central Louisiana Technical College the opportunities are abundant.

From Dual Enrollment in high school, Veterans returning to the work force or second career seekers, there is opportunity for almost everyone.

The current estimates for permanent jobs in the River Parishes, in the next five years, are well over 3,000. South Central Louisiana Technical College has what it takes to train you to fill one of those positions.

The future is here, the future in bright and the future is yours.

Penelope Freeman is Campus Dean for South Central Louisiana Technical College. She is at the Reserve Campus. Email her at penelopefreeman@scl.edu.