The speakers for the meeting of the Rotary Club of Winnfield on October 7, 2020 were Dawn Book, Assistant Supervisor of Adult Education at Central Louisiana Technical and Community College, Huey P. Long campus in Winnfield, and Jordan Franks, instructor in the Forest Technology program at CLTCC.
Ms. Book described some of the adult education opportunities available at CLTCC Huey P. Long campus as well as some of the other five parishes she serves in the area of adult education. The primary focus of adult education at the Huey P. Long campus of CLTCC is, of course, the High School Equivalency Test, so that persons who did not obtain a diploma from any high school may obtain those credentials by studying the basic subjects of language arts, math, science and social studies, with the objective of passing the exam that tests the students’ competency in those areas sufficient to warrant the awarding of the equivalent of a high school diploma. Additionally, CLTCC offers dual enrollment, taking classes in one of the technology courses at the same time as the HiSET classes.
The programs offered at CLTCC Huey P. Long this semester are Business Administration and Business Technology, Forest Technology, Patient Care Technician, LPN and Welding, with approximately 150 students enrolled. Many of the programs allow students to pursue their course of study completely virtually, and require no in-person attendance due to COVID-19 restrictions . Ms. Book also mentioned that many students in adult education or in dual enrollment qualify for assistance from the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) office, which may help pay many expenses related to the pursuit of a certificate or degree.
Ms. Book was accompanied by instructor Jordan Franks, who showed off the van dedicated to the forestry program, in which the forestry students are transported to their outdoor classroom—the woods—for hands on learning. She showed the group several devices and the vest forestry students are required to have for classes, which she said could be provided to eligible students by WIOA. Ms. Franks said the majority of the forestry technology study is done in the field. CLTCC also has simulators for several pieces of heavy machinery used in the forestry industry so students receive operational training in the course of their program rather than on the job. Ms. Franks said the part of the program involving textbook study is done on computer, but the bulk of the time in the course is spent doing hands on learning in the woods. Although she is a part-time instructor, Ms. Franks goes above and beyond the time required of her to assure her students plenty of time and quality instruction in forestry.
The Rotary Club of Winnfield meets every Wednesday at Noon for lunch at Lynda’s Country Kitchen. For more information about the Rotary Club of Winnfield, you may contact President, Jodi Taylor (832) 573-5085. You can also find club information on Facebook at Rotary Club of Winnfield Facebook Page or online at Rotary.org.