Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
    Date: June 6, 1996
      Contact:                           Shanna Sissom 75 

EDUCATION LEADERS  DISCUSS STATE WORK GRANTS ON
CAPITOL HILL
WASHINGTON -- Southeastern Louisiana University's Industrial Technology staff recently met
with Sen. John Breaux (D-La.) and Reps. Bob Livingston and Billy Tauzin in Washington to
discuss pending legislation to fund job skill programs in Louisiana.  
     At issue are Senate and House bills designating federal funds for Tech Prep, School to
Work, and other such organizations designed to help high school students prepare to acquire
skills  needed to pursue an associate degree and enter the job market. Tech Prep begins in high
school and balances a study of academic education with career preparation coursework for a
complete, well-rounded education.  Southeastern's Industrial Technology program is a  teaches a
variety of industry-related disciplines.
     "This workforce bill consolidates nearly 100 federal education and training programs into
one-stop career centers and allows individuals--not bureaucrats--to decide what training they need
to find and keep good jobs," Breaux said.
     Both bills propose involvement of employers in local workforce development boards, but
the two bodies must still iron out differences. Donna Seale, special populations coordinator for
Industrial Technology at Southeastern, said she favors the current Senate bill over the House
draft.
     "The Senate bill is more liberal, it has more funds attached to it. Bob Livingston even said
he supported the Senate version of the funding level," Seale said.
       The Senate bill  proposes $6.1 billion in funds and the House proposes approximately $5
billion to be disbursed to the states. "But all of this is subject to change once the conference
committee gets through it," Seale said.
     "In our changing economy, quality vocational education and training are vital to helping
hardworking Americans get and keep jobs," said Breaux.
     Others who met with lawmakers in Washington include Jim Owens, Industrial Technology
department head at Southeastern and John Searles, Tech Prep Coordinator at Southeastern.
     Southeastern's In department, one of only 40 fully accredited programs in the United
States,  offers two-year  associate degrees in applied science design for both drafting and welding
technology.  Labor market statistics show that 65 percent of the top jobs require more than a high
school diploma but less than a four-year degree, the American Vocational Association reported.
       While Southeastern's I.T. department meets the demand for associate degrees, more
comprehensive, four-year- bachelor degrees are also offered to cover a wide range of academic
and career goals.
                                  -SLU-