Louisiana State University Online and Continuing Education (LSU OCE) is launching a new training partnership intended to close talent gaps in the state’s tech industry.
For the initiative, LSU OCE is partnering with tech talent accelerator SkillStorm. LSU OCE and SkillStorm will provide Louisiana employers with access to previously untapped talent pools, as well as a means to upskill their incumbent workforce, with a particular focus on information technology and cybersecurity skills.
“At a time when workers with tech skills are in sky-high demand across the state, higher education institutions can play a critical role in helping meet that demand,” said Kappie Mumphrey, vice president of LSU Online and Continuing Education. “This is about providing cutting-edge training from industry leaders to build a future-ready foundation of tech talent that Louisiana urgently needs.”
Through SkillStorm’s platform, LSU said it will offer a range of courses to prepare for certifications including CompTIA Security+, Network+ and A+. The programs will be available for LSU students, alumni, and community members, as well as for businesses seeking new strategies to equip their existing workforce with high-demand tech skills.
“Our work is about strengthening regional economies by empowering employers to tap into new talent pools — as well as upskilling opportunities within their own employee communities,” said Joe Mitchell, chief operating officer at SkillStorm. “Together with LSU OCE, we’re creating a new model for higher education institutions and tech employers to join forces in ways that can both close talent gaps and create new pathways to economic mobility.”
LSU said the partnership aligns with the school’s Scholarship First Agenda, which it says emphasizes preparing the next generation of experts and leaders in a range of high-growth fields, including information systems, software engineering, military technology, and cyber defense.
