The Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) is launching a new program that will help bring free online learning to thousands of people across the state and help them develop new tech skills and improve their career readiness.
The program, titled “Tech Ready Louisiana,” is the result of a partnership between LWC and Coursera, a large online learning platform.
The program aims to provide Louisianans with accessible education and training to reach their individual career goals. Tech Ready Louisiana will give Louisianans free access to more 5,000 courses, including in areas such as career readiness, digital skills, data analytics, hospitality and tourism, and healthcare.
According to LWC, learners can earn a certificate in three to six months.
“Tech Ready Louisiana will take people from courses to careers,” said LWC Secretary Ava Cates, “Everything from learning Microsoft Office, to skills in the IT or healthcare industries. This is about giving Louisianians the opportunity to learn new, marketable skills to advance in their current job or get the career they’ve always wanted.”
LWC sites a new study, as well, that showed more than half of Louisianans either not having access to or cannot afford high-speed internet access.
“We know Louisiana struggles when it comes to making broadband available and affordable for our people,” said Cates. “We have almost 60 American Job Centers and affiliate sites across the state available for people to come in and use reliable internet to complete these courses.”
