H. L. Bourgeois High School students tour the John Deere manufacturing facility in Thibodaux during National Manufacturing Week. Organized through a partnership between SCIA and Fletcher Technical Community College, the tours introduced students to local manufacturing operations and career opportunities.
Schriever, LA – In celebration of National Manufacturing Week, October 5-9, 2026, the South Central Industrial Association (SCIA) once again partnered with Fletcher Technical Community College to give local high school students a firsthand look at the region’s thriving manufacturing industry and the career opportunities available right here at home.
For more than five years, this annual initiative has connected students with local employers, providing firsthand exposure to manufacturing operations and career opportunities across the Bayou Region. Through facility tours and direct engagement with industry professionals, the program has introduced nearly 1,000 students to the diverse career pathways available within the region’s industrial workforce.
This year, more than 100 students participated in facility tours designed to introduce them to modern manufacturing operations, the technologies driving the industry, and the skilled professionals who keep these businesses moving forward.
Throughout the week, students visited Sealevel Construction, John Deere of Thibodaux, Hunting Energy Services, Bollinger Shipyards, and K&B Industries. Each visit provided students with an opportunity to learn more about the companies’ operations, explore their facilities, and engage in conversations about the skills, education, and career pathways needed to succeed in manufacturing.
“Manufacturing offers a wide range of career opportunities that students may not fully realize are available in their own backyard,” said Hillary Charpentier, Executive Director of SCIA. “By opening the doors to local facilities and connecting students with industry professionals, we’re helping them discover new possibilities for their futures while strengthening the pipeline of talent our member companies need to grow and succeed.”
“Giving students the opportunity to experience manufacturing firsthand helps them make meaningful connections between their education and the careers they may pursue,” said Janel Ricca, Director of Job Placement at Fletcher Technical Community College. “These visits allow students to see the technology, teamwork, and specialized skills behind the industry and better understand how technical education can prepare them for rewarding careers in our region.”
SCIA advocates on behalf of more than 250 member companies, representing over 11,000 manufacturing jobs across the Bayou Region. Through partnerships with educational institutions and local employers, SCIA remains committed to strengthening workforce readiness and building connections between students and the industries that drive the regional economy.
Fletcher Technical Community College supports the region’s manufacturing workforce by connecting students with hands-on training, industry partnerships, and educational pathways that prepare them for careers with local employers.
The success of this year’s National Manufacturing Week was made possible through the collaboration of Fletcher Technical Community College and the participating host companies as well as the generous support of Capital One. Their continued investment in education and workforce development helps introduce the next generation to the opportunities available within the region’s industrial workforce.
For more information about SCIA or Fletcher Technical Community College, please visit sciaonline.net or fletcher.edu.