NOVA Update!

On July 7, NOVA Workforce Institute celebrated its first commencement ceremony at Bethel Church of God in Christ in Monroe, La. The class of 2009 had 32 participants, each of whom was awarded a certificate of completion.

Graduates completed training at area community and technical colleges, as well as local universities. This training prepares the graduates to fill high-demand jobs in northeast Louisiana.

Our first graduating class has started joining the workforce of the northeast Louisiana region. As of the start of October, we have placed more than half our students in living-wage jobs in the Monroe area.

Our projected annual economic impact if all our participants enter into the workforce is $1.05 million, based on a projected average wage of $12 per hour, per participant.

Statistics also show that NOVA has an 81% completion rate so far, a great starting point for all future classes and one we hope to increase in the coming years.

What is NOVA about?

Mission:

NOVA is a coalition of community based organizations and employers whose mission is to provide:

qualified work ready workforce for participating employers

unemployed/underemployed Northeast adults access to economically self sufficient growth jobs through long term training and support services .

How does NOVA work?

Employers

NOVA's primary focus is to identify the workforce needs and address them through:

Developing customized training through employer/s that has need of employees in a specific occupation/s.

Participants

Individuals go through an application, testing, assessment and interview process before being considered for NOVA. Upon acceptance and enrollment in the program, Case Managers provide assistance in developing a career path that includes assisting participants from enrollment to completion and beyond.

Linking potential employers with our Community or Technical Colleges to provide the necessary training needed in occupations that have been identified as Labor Market Demands/Needs.