Schriever, LA — Fletcher Technical Community College proudly celebrated the grand opening of its new Workforce / Nursing & Allied Health Building with a standing-room-only ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 20, 2024. The opening of this state-of-the-art facility, located at 1407 Hwy 311 in Schriever, marks a pivotal moment in Fletcher's ongoing commitment to expanding educational opportunities and workforce development in the region.
The event featured remarks from several distinguished guests, including Dr. Kim Hunter-Reed, Louisiana's Commissioner of Higher Education, who emphasized the building's significance in supporting both healthcare and workforce education. "Pillars of great institutions of great communities bring together workforce & healthcare. Those are foundational to the success of communities that thrive across this country. In this building, we see those pillars—a workforce facility, but also a nursing & allied health facility combined together," Dr. Hunter-Reed stated.
Chancellor Kristine Strickland reflected on the journey leading to this milestone, likening the new facility to a story with many chapters written by the community and its partners. "I thought about this building as a story... and each of the individuals who has joined me on stage this morning has represented a portion or a chapter in the story," she said. Strickland also highlighted the broader impact of the new facility, stating, "The opening of the Nursing and Allied Health Workforce Building marks a pivotal moment for Fletcher. This facility is essential for the expansion of our nursing program, enabling us to better serve our students and meet the growing demand for healthcare professionals. With the South Central Industrial Association now housed on our campus, we are uniquely positioned to strengthen workforce connections within our community and beyond."
The new Workforce / Nursing & Allied Health Building will allow Fletcher to more than triple the enrollment capacity of its nursing and allied health programs and more than double the department’s faculty, significantly bolstering the college’s ability to meet the region’s healthcare needs. The facility includes advanced classrooms and training spaces designed to support the rigorous demands of nursing education and workforce development.
J.J. Buquet, President of the South Central Industrial Association (SCIA) Board, spoke on the critical role Fletcher plays in the community. "This facility, this campus, the staff, and employees are so very critical to the development of the workforce needs of our community, and that fact simply cannot be overstated. That's why several years ago, SCIA stepped up to be the last piece of the puzzle to achieve the match necessary for the creation of the facility. We couldn't have been more proud then, and we couldn't be more proud now to be housed in this facility," Buquet said. He further emphasized the importance of aligning skills with available jobs, stating, "If we had a less mismatch of skilled to available jobs, we could wipe out our unemployment right now... Because Fletcher provides the training necessary for those skills, we need Fletcher now more than ever."
Dr. Hunter-Reed also remarked on the unique bond between Fletcher and its community, stating, "The community shows up and shows out for Fletcher, because Fletcher is of and for and with this community—and that makes a tremendous difference."
The presence of the South Central Industrial Association (SCIA) on campus will further enhance Fletcher's ability to connect students with valuable industry resources, aligning educational programs with regional economic needs. The grand opening event included guided tours of the new facility, allowing attendees to explore the new opportunities it brings to Fletcher Technical Community College and the broader community.