State Funds for NOVA

Representative Rosalind Jones was able to secure $37,500 in the state appropriations bill for NOVA, our labor market intermediary, in Monroe. NOVA works with employers to identify living wage jobs with a career track and benefits. Recruitment of participants is done through Interfaith congregations and neighborhoods. We are pleased to annouce the first two classes will graduate July 7, 7:00 PM at Bethel COGIC in Monroe.

Here are some NOVA statistics:

• Nineteen enrolled in a class in January for Certified Manufacturing Specialist and 15 successfully completed the course.
• Twenty enrolled in the April classs and 14 successfully completed. The number of successful completions for NOVA was higher than that of community college. Total enrolled in both classes was 39 with 29 successful completions.
• Seven participants in the second class will enter computer numeric control program which will garner higher wages. They are waiting for a date for class to begin.
• One student was enrolled at ULM and has graduated. She is in the interview process.
• One student was enrolled at Louisiana Technical and successfully completed the course work. This person has been placed and is currently waiting to take the State Board exam August 9.
• NOVA is working with eight employers to place all graduates.

Status of graduates

• One hire Gardner Denver Thomas $15/hour; 1 Bayou Internet and 2 CPSI; 1 hire Volunteers of America as a social worker.
• There are currently seven participants in the second phase of interview process at Gardner Denver Thomas, they are waiting to be called for drug tests.
• Six participants are in first phase of interviews for three other employers in the Monroe area.

Students at Delta Community College were so impressed by the work Ms. Juanita Woods has done with NOVA participants that they requested their class become part of NOVA. She will work with them and we are exploring contract possibilities for the work she will be doing with these students.