NOVA presents graduates with a certificate and an opportunity to join the workforce.
NOVA Workforce Institute of Northeast Louisiana will award 52 participants in its graduation ceremony. Each participant enrolled in an 8-week career readiness curriculum that prepares them for joining the workforce.
Paul West, Executive Director of NOVA, says the program has seen a great year with its participants. It will be the first time many of them walk in a cap and gown. "Many have just gotten a GED, so they never had a chance to walk that aisle.This will be a great accomplishment for them."
Graduates learn various skill sets through NOVA to successfully join the workforce in northeast Louisiana. Career track focuses are healthcare, construction, customer service, trade and manufacturing. NOVA has also noticed a growing need for truck drivers in the area.
Juanita Woods, Director of Programs and Participant Services, says NOVA tries to be flexible and meet the demands of potential employers. "This is our seventh graduation. We have enrolled over 776 individuals and we have placed, in living wage jobs, 486 individuals. We are very excited about that."
The average wage for individuals that have graduated from NOVA is $13.50 an hour.
The graduation ceremony will be held Thursday, June 18 at Saint James United Methodist Church at 6:30 p.m.