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BOGALUSA, La. — Northshore Technical Community College (NTCC) has been awarded a $1,334,000 federal grant to continue operation of its YouthBuild Bogalusa (YBB) program, extending NTCC’s 25-year history of providing YouthBuild programming to opportunity youth.
Through the grant, YouthBuild Bogalusa will serve 58 youth ages 16–24 in rural Washington Parish, enrolling two cohorts of 29 participants. The program will provide an integrated combination of academic instruction, occupational skills training, leadership development, supportive services, career preparation, and follow-up services designed to help participants successfully transition into employment, advanced training, apprenticeships, or postsecondary education.
Participants will have the opportunity to earn a High School Equivalency (HiSET) or high school diploma while receiving hands-on occupational training and industry-recognized credentials. In addition to construction training aligned with NCCER Core standards and OSHA-10 GI certification, YouthBuild Bogalusa will offer additional pathways in Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Welding, and Information Technology, connecting participants to high-demand regional career opportunities.
The program will also provide leadership development, supportive services, career coaching, employer engagement, and postsecondary transition planning to help participants pursue employment, Registered Apprenticeships, advanced training, or higher education. Participants will also gain exposure to emerging workforce skills through AI literacy instruction and welding training aligned with shipbuilding and industrial trades, further strengthening pathways to credential attainment and long-term economic mobility.
“We are deeply grateful to the U.S. Department of Labor for its continued investment in YouthBuild Bogalusa and in the young people of our community. At YouthBuild Bogalusa, we believe that every young person deserves an opportunity to discover their potential, develop marketable skills, and build a successful future. This award strengthens our ability to continue that mission and expand the positive impact of YouthBuild throughout Bogalusa and the surrounding communities.” — Dr. Eleanor Harris, Director, YouthBuild Bogalusa
NTCC also acknowledges the Community Funding Accelerator (CFA) initiative for its support and expertise throughout the grant application and submission process. CFA’s guidance played an important role in the development of a competitive proposal and contributed to the successful award.
To register for the YouthBuild program, call 985-545-1622 or 985-545-1623 or visit northshorecollege.edu.
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About Northshore Technical Community College
Northshore Technical Community College (NTCC) is a comprehensive college with a rich history of providing workforce training and academic pathways to universities across the state of Louisiana. Beyond the traditional classroom and workforce training opportunities, NTCC provides opportunities for students seeking our Adult Education, ESL, and YouthBuild programs. NTCC is comprised of its Main Campus in Lacombe, Hammond Area Campus, Direct Connect Campus at Southeastern Louisiana University, Florida Parishes Campus in Greensburg, Sullivan Campus in Bogalusa, and the Livingston Parish Campus in Walker. In 2015, NTCC was recognized by the Brookings Institute as the first in the nation for economic value of its graduates. The Chronicle of Higher Education named NTCC in 2019 as seventh fastest growing colleges from 2007-2017. NTCC was also awarded the Greater New Orleans Top Workplaces by The Times-Picayune and The New Orleans Advocate 2018-2025. For more information about NTCC, visit www.northshorecollege.edu.
