LUTCHER- – During the 2018-2019 school year St. James Parish Schools created the Human Capital Center based on Superintendent, Dr. P. Edward Cancienne’s vision of Restoring The Dignity of The Workforce.

  The Human Capital Center serves not only students of St James Parish; it provides services for adults of St. James Parish.  Residents of St. James Parish have used the center for WorkKeys Testing where they can earn a National Career Readiness Certificate. Those who take the test are issued credentials based on four levels; Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Yuhaung Chemical, St. James Parish Hospital, and AmSty currently use the WorkKeys test as an employment assessment. The Human Capital Center has tested inmates of the St James Parish Prison where two inmates earned Platinum Level.  In February, St. James Parish became a Certified Work Ready Community in conjunction with WorkKeys testing.

  In May, adults and students signed a School to Work contracts through the Human Capital Center to be employed by local industry. Those contracts totaled a potential combined income of $1,240,000.

  The Human Capital Center allows both adults and students in St. James to get assistance with creating resumes and completing job applications. The center has provided mock interview opportunities in the fall and spring semesters with representatives from FG, Shell, Mosaic, OxyChem, Frisard’s Trucking, and Nucor.

  As part of Restoring The Dignity of The Workforce, 17 students attended a JumpStart Summer Program.  Students earned an Industry Based Credential, College Credit and a wage while attending classes at River Parishes Community College in Gonzales during the month of June.  On Wednesday, June 10, 2019, students where recognized at the school board and received a paycheck for successfully completing the JumpStart Summer Program.