Workforce development was a recurring theme during Monday’s Faculty Senate meeting.Tim Barfield, executive director of the Louisiana Workforce Commission, gave a slideshow presentation to the Faculty Senate titled, “Reforming Workforce Delivery.”Barfield’s talk focused on bridging the gap between unemployment and unfilled jobs in Louisiana by creating more skilled workers. He said workforce development means understanding the needs of the business industry, utilizing resources in early education and making skilled training relevant to children. One way to make it relevant is to teach children about other opportunities after high school besides a four-year college, such as a technical or community college.”If you look across the country and the market, 55 to 65 percent of occupations require more than a high school degree but less than a four-year degree,” Barfield said.According to Barfield, the class of 2004 had a high school dropout rate of 37 percent. Eight percent of the graduating class attended a technical college. Workforce development is part of Gov. Bobby Jindal’s major steps to a “new Louisiana” by filling vacant jobs in the state and lowering the unemployment rate. The Louisiana Workforce Commission mission statement is “to help strengthen and stabilize the Louisiana economy by building a well-trained, quality workforce, by providing an efficient labor market exchange, and by helping to maintain a workplace that is supportive of worker safety and productivity,” according to their Web site. The LWF was formerly the Louisiana Department of Labor. James Firnberg, LSUA Chancellor Emeritus and education consultant, also gave a slideshow presentation on the proposed funding formula for higher education in Louisiana. The Louisiana Board of Regents coordinates public higher education in Louisiana and has not implemented a new funding formula yet. One feature of the proposed funding formula, echoing Barfield’s presentation, includes funds for workforce development. “We have neglected technical and community colleges in the state over the years,” Firnberg said. Another important aspect of the proposed funding formula focuses on performance incentives such as the percent of graduate students in the state.Faculty Senate President Kevin Cope presented a framed certificate of commendation to the University’s Emergency Operations Center for its management of affairs during Hurricane Gustav. Executive Assistant to the Chancellor and interim EOC director, D’Ann Morris was there to receive the certificate. —-Contact Erica Warren at [email protected]