WorkReadyU – Adult Education
Welcome to WorkReadyU – the Adult Education Program at Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College!
Thank you for your interest in WorkReadyU (WRU) our adult education program at Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College. We have programs in Bienville Parish, Caddo Parish, Claiborne Parish, DeSoto Parish, and Webster Parish. We also provide training where locations are not obstacles. We provide opportunities for students to complete their high school equivalency (HISET) while training for a new career and even earn college credit. We are not your mom-and-pop’s “adult ed” anymore!
In 2010, the Louisiana Legislature made the commitment to further adult education by moving adult education program from the Louisiana Department of Education to the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS). This was the first step in acknowledging the needs of adult learners. LCTCS took on this challenge and re-branded adult education in Louisiana as WorkReadyU (WRU).
Northwest Louisiana Technical College soon followed LCTCS’s direction and became the WRU provider for the parishes of Caddo, Desoto, Webster, Claiborne, and Bienville.
Here is what Northwest’s WRU can do for you:
Foundational Skills
If you want to assist your child in their homework or obtain your high school equivalency, we can help you obtain those goals through WorkReadyU.
There are a few criteria for enrolling in this program:
- One must be 16 years of age or older to enter.
- Students who are 16 and 17 years old must be released from their local school board prior to enrollment by completing this form.
- Students between the ages of 16 and 18 must complete the pre-HiSet test at one of our testing sites in order to take the HiSet test.
- Make a commitment to themselves
WorkReadyU Components
College & Career Readiness
Our College & Career Readiness programming is designed for those students who may have been out of school a while and need their knowledge updated to enter the workforce or college. It is also geared toward students who may need assistance in becoming successful before entering college.
Community Education
Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College is concerned about the every-day skills that one must know to conduct their daily affairs. Financial literacy, digital literacy, health literacy and workplace ethics are just a few examples of our community education programming components. Customized community education courses and workshops can be designed to fit the needs of an organization or a community. Just reach out and we can develop a successful program together.
Career Pathways
We understand the needs of adult learners and have made a commitment to get you into one of our career pathways. Our 5-for-6 Scholarship is available to WRU students who have a desire to enter into one of our many career pathways and earn a certification, a technical diploma or even a college degree.
Did you know that a WRU student can receive Pell funds to enter into a program?
Did you know that Pell funds are grants that do not have to be paid back?
The first step is to fill out a FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Our staff at each campus is happy to assist you in completing your financial aid application.
Customized Training for Employers
Don’t think we left employers out. The WRU program works closely with Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College’s Workforce Office to provide you with Work-Ready employees. One example of how the WRU program can help employers is designing “soft skills” training for your employees. Just reach out to us and we will work with you to develop an ideal program for your company.
Customization for Students
If you feel as if you don’t fall into any one of these categories, please reach out to your local WRU site and tell them your needs. Our knowledgeable instructors can advise you in helping you meet your educational and career goals.
I encourage you to click on each site and get to know your local contact. We are passionate about adult education in Northwest Louisiana and would be glad to speak to any organization about adult education opportunities. Remember, we are not your mom-and-pop’s adult education program: WE ARE WORKREADY U!
NLTCC WorkReadyU Contact Information & Site Locations
Director: Joni Nelson
Office Phone Number: 318-371-3035
Cell Number: 318-716-2964
Email: [email protected]
Classes are offered at the following locations:
Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College - Minden Campus
9500 Industrial Drive
Minden, LA 71055
Instructor: Joni Nelson
Phone Number: 318-371-3035
Email: [email protected]
Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College - Shreveport Campus
2010 N Market Street
Shreveport, LA 71107
Instructor: Andrew Guillory
Phone Number: 318-676-7811
Email: [email protected]
Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College -Mansfield Campus
943 Oxford Road
Mansfield, LA 71052
Instructor: Cathy Toups
Phone Number: 318-872-2243
Email: [email protected]
Red River Parish Title 1 Parish Center
1922 Alonzo Street
Coushatta, LA 71019
Instructor: Cathy Toups
Phone Number: 318-872-2243
Email: [email protected]
Morning Star Baptist Church
5340 Jewella Avenue
Shreveport, LA 71109
Instructor: Tuwaun Law
Phone Number: 318-344-7265
Email: [email protected]
For other locations, visit the LCTCS WRU site and search for a WRU program close to you.