(The Center Square) − Louisiana’s workforce challenges are urgent, with more job openings than unemployed individuals and 68% of positions requiring education beyond high school.
Addressing this gap, high school internships and apprenticeships are emerging as pivotal tools to prepare students for high-demand, high-wage careers.
These programs not only provide hands-on experience and technical skills but also directly contribute to the state’s broader education and workforce goals outlined in the Louisiana Prospers master plan.
The Louisiana Board of Regents recently highlighted the state’s progress toward its ambitious target of a 60% postsecondary credential attainment rate by 2030.
While Louisiana has reached a record attainment rate of 51%, significant work remains. Achieving this goal will require adding 85,000 credential earners annually — up from the current 73,000.
Notably, 85% of graduates from public institutions are securing high-demand, well-paying jobs, but the state needs more workers with industry-based certifications, associate degrees, and advanced credentials to meet employer needs.
The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry and the Committee of 100 for Economic Development have called on businesses to expand high school internship opportunities as part of this workforce development push.
At a sold-out Apprenticeship Summit in Baton Rouge, business leaders like John Deere, ExxonMobil, and Ascension Roofing showcased the value of integrating students into their operations.
“Kids across Louisiana need us to offer them real-world job experiences, and our businesses need them,” said Adam Knapp, CEO of C100. “This collaboration creates a new future for our economy.”
Meanwhile, Louisiana’s education accountability formula is evolving. Starting in August, schools will earn performance points for facilitating work-based learning experiences, signaling a statewide commitment to linking education and workforce readiness.
These efforts align with data from the Louisiana Department of Education, which revealed that only 3.7% to 4.9% of graduating students between 2018 and 2023 had an internship course on their transcript.
Expanding such programs has the potential to strengthen pipelines in industries like energy, healthcare, technology, and manufacturing, fostering innovation and reducing youth unemployment.
As the state accelerates efforts to align education with labor market demands, internships and apprenticeships stand out as vital pathways to ensuring that Louisiana’s students are equipped for both current and future workforce needs.
