Louisiana is preparing for billions of dollars in new economic investment, and business leaders say the key to success will be a trained, skilled workforce. During a recent interview, Will Green, President and CEO of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI), discussed BayouWorks, a new workforce development initiative designed to help employers recruit, retain, and upskill workers across the state.
BayouWorks is modeled after Michigan’s highly successful “Going Pro” workforce program, which has trained more than 230,000 workers and supported nearly 8,500 businesses since 2014. The Louisiana version aims to align workforce training with real‑time employer needs, particularly as major projects—from advanced manufacturing to energy and logistics—expand statewide.
Under proposed House Bill 549, BayouWorks would be administered through LA Works in partnership with employers. The program is employer‑driven, meaning businesses help identify skills gaps, workforce needs, and training priorities. Eligible employers could receive support to offset the costs of internships, apprenticeships, certifications, and rapid workforce training—expenses that often strain small and mid‑sized companies.
Training would be delivered through qualified providers such as community and technical colleges, public post‑secondary institutions, and registered apprenticeship programs, ensuring flexibility across regions and industries. The goal is to help companies upskill and reskill workers quickly while allowing employees to gain transferable certifications.
Green emphasized that workforce training benefits everyone involved. Studies from Michigan show program participants saw an average wage increase of more than 7%, with skills they can carry throughout their careers. For Louisiana, BayouWorks represents an opportunity to keep talent in the state, support local employers, and ensure workforce readiness matches economic growth.
If approved, BayouWorks could become a cornerstone of Louisiana’s long‑term economic competitiveness.
Listen to “LABI’s BayouWorks Program Targets Louisiana’s Workforce Skills Gap” on Spreaker.