Building a Competitive Workforce
About The Grant
LOUIS: The Louisiana Library Network and the Louisiana Board of Regents to receive a $2.125 million federal grant for Building a Competitive Workforce: Career and Technical Education (CTE) OER with Embedded Digital Skills. The award, from the Open Textbooks Pilot Program from the U.S. Department of Education, supports a three-year initiative to improve access to and completion of CTE courses through the development of open educational resources (OER) courses, or courses that assign textbooks and other materials which are freely available to students. By removing that textbook cost barrier, this project has the potential to provide greater access to higher education and save Louisiana students over $6 million annually.
Press Releases
Selected CTE Courses and Content Area
Food Safety and Sanitation:
Application of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles to the handling of foods.
Applied Algebra:
Emphasis on applications involving: solving equations and inequalities; function properties and graphs; linear, quadratic, polynomial, exponential and logarithmic functions.
Math for Elementary Teachers:
Topics include numeral systems, theory of arithmetic, whole numbers, integers, rational numbers, decimal representations, real numbers, probability, and statistics with an emphasis on problem solving.
Introduction to Corrections:
A study of the American correctional process with emphasis on the development of current correctional programs and practice, modern rehabilitative processes, and community-based correctional efforts. Focus is also given to the roles of correctional system and its interrelation with the other components of the criminal justice system.
Criminology:
Study of the theoretical perspectives used to explain the causation, prevalence, and societal impacts of crime.
Microbiology for Nursing/Allied Health (lecture and lab):
Principles of microbiology, with emphasis on health and disease.
Lab designed to supplement Microbiology for Nursing & Allied Health.
Human Anatomy and Physiology II (lecture and lab):
Endocrine, circulatory, respiratory, lymphatic, digestive, excretory, and reproductive systems.
Lab designed to supplement Human Anatomy and Physiology II.
Nutrition:
Fundamental concepts of human nutrition including physiology and biochemistry of nutrients, the application of nutritional principles in health and wellness, and current nutritional events.
Intro to Pharmacology:
Underlying principles of actions of various drug groups; sources, physical and chemical properties, physiological actions, absorption rate, excretion, therapeutic uses, side effects and toxicity. Emphasis on fundamental concepts applying to actions of most drugs.
Medical Surgery I:
Study of the nursing process as a method of individualizing patient care of the adult and geriatric clients.
Medical Surgery II:
Intermediate application of the nursing process as a method of individualizing evidence-based patient care with emphasis on essential concepts related to the adult and geriatric client.
Introduction to Health Professions:
Studies in selected allied health professions.
Introduction to Practical Nursing:
Variations of the title of this course includes: Nurse Fundamentals and Nursing Perspectives
Course content includes an introduction to vocation of practical nursing and occupational requirements.
Intravenous (IV) Therapy:
Variations of the title of this course include: IV Therapy for PN
Course content includes methods, techniques, and equipment and devices, anatomy and physiology, infection control measures, and complications related to intravenous (IV) therapy
Introduction to Safety:
Foundational workplace safety practices and principles that align with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines.
Flood Mitigation:
Develops a skilled statewide workforce that will support LWI flood risk reduction projects and build up Louisiana's long-term resilience
CDL (Commercial Driver's License):
This course prepares students for employment as professional commercial drivers and follows all Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules, regulations, and guidelines.
Foundational Digital Skills, Financial Literacy, Communication and Time management and Goal-Setting:
Content area covering non-industry specific digital skills needed for modern workplaces. Content area covering non-industry specific to provide a financial foundation for life during and after postsecondary education. Content area covering non-industry specific communication, time management, and goal-setting skills needed for postsecondary education and modern workplaces.
Advisory Board
The grant advisory board is tasked with affirming strategy, supporting coordination between stakeholders and institutions, providing guidance to ensure integration of workforce priorities in curriculum, and supporting the identification of barriers for underserved students.
Membership is composed of:
- Laurie Blandino, Executive Director and Associate Commissioner, LOUIS
- Rebecca Kelley, Strategic Initiatives Program Manager, LOUIS
- Megan Lowe, LOUIS Executive Board Chair-Elect and UL System OER Content Expert
- Missy LaCour, LCTCS Director of New Markets
- Ann Zanders, LCTCS Coordinator for Career and Technical Education
- John Galiotos, Southern University at Shreveport Dean of Workforce Development
- Jamie Zeringue, Council of Student Body Presidents representative (2024 appointee)
- Susannah Craig, Louisiana Health Works Commission representative
- Timberly Deville, Louisiana Department of Education Executive Director Executive Director of Quality Diplomas in the Office of Career & College Readiness
- Hugh McGuire, Pressbooks, Founder & CEO
Department of Education Disclaimer
The contents of this website were developed under an Open Textbooks Pilot grant from the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE), U.S. Department of Education. However, contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
