Schriever, LA - In celebration of National Manufacturing Week, the South Central Industrial Association (SCIA) once again partnered with Fletcher Technical Community College to give local high school students a firsthand look at Louisiana’s thriving manufacturing industry.
This annual initiative has grown significantly over the years, expanding to include more participating facilities across Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes in 2025. More than 150 students from nine local public and private high schools took part in this year’s tours.
Throughout the week of October 6–10, students visited leading manufacturers including Sealevel Construction, John Deere Thibodaux, Hunting Energy Services, Bollinger Shipyards, K&B Industries, Cortec, Oceaneering, Danos/Natrx, and Cajun Cutters. Each visit featured company presentations, facility tours, lunch, and interactive discussions about products, operations, and the skilled occupations essential to success in modern manufacturing.
“Our industries are filled with innovation, technology, and opportunity,” said Hillary Charpentier, Executive Director of SCIA. “When students walk through these facilities, they see the future of Louisiana’s workforce in action - and they can imagine themselves being part of it. That’s exactly the connection we’re working to build.”
“Manufacturing plays a big part of our local economy,” said Janel Ricca, Director of Job Placement at Fletcher Technical Community College. “By showing these students real-life experiences and opportunities of working in these facilities, we’re helping them see that the skills they learn today can translate into meaningful, high-demand careers right here at home.”
Representing more than 11,000 manufacturing jobs in the Bayou Region, SCIA remains committed to improving workforce readiness through initiatives like this that provide insight to high school students about industrial career opportunities in our area.
This year’s Manufacturing Week success was made possible through the generous support of SCIA, Fletcher Technical Community College, and participating employers, whose dedication to education and workforce development continues to shape the region’s industrial future.
For more information about SCIA or Fletcher Technical Community College, please visit sciaonline.net or fletcher.edu.