Ascension Economic Development Corporation

Ascension Parish employers have found the regional labor market to be productive and committed. Collaboration between private industry and educational institutions has led to the development of valuable training programs and curriculum that assist in preparing a skilled workforce. Almost 365,000 people make up the labor force in Ascension Parish and the surrounding area.

• The bulk of the current workforce is divided between manufacturing (15.5%), construction (15.4%) and retail trade (14.5%), all surpassing employment in the Baton Rouge MSA and Louisiana.
• According to the 2000 U.S. Census, 62.3% of the population is working age, 20-64 years old.

The Louisiana Technical College Ascension Parish Campus has programs in place to support local industry. With input from industry, the PTEC or petrochemical technology program was designed to develop a workforce with skills in welding and processing technology. In preparation for work in this aging industry, junior and senior high school students train in this hands-on program, while completing studies at area schools. Associate degrees, certificates and diplomas in industrial instrumentation technology, automotive technology, welding, process technology and several other programs are offered through this campus. In neighboring Baton Rouge, the Baton Rouge Community College offers over 120 credit courses and industry training sessions.

SOURCE: LA DEPT. OF LABOR, EMPLOYMENT & TOTAL WAGES PAID BY EMPLOYERS SUBJECT TO THE LA EMPLOYMENT
SECURITY LAW, 2005 ANNUAL

SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates

Starting salaries/wages by occupation

Source: Wadley Donovan Group Employer Survey, January 2007-Baton Rouge MSA

Occupation	Responses	Average Starting Rate	Median Starting Rate
General Business and Office Support
Accounting clerks/bookkeepers	30	$30,937	$14.87
Administrative assistants	24	$31,121	$14.96
Customer service rep. (tele/Internet)	7	$33,571	$16.14
Customer service representatives, other	17	$31,546	$15.17
Clerical workers with advanced computer skills	27	$33,722	$16.21
Office Clerks	21	$26,258	$12.62
Management and Supervisory
Customer service managers	5	$61,336	$29.49
Management trainees	8	$51,277	$24.65
Management, experienced	16	$89,133	$42.85
Production supervisors	10	$84,738	$40.74
Warehouse managers	7	$50,661	$24.36
Medical
CPNs	0	$0	$0.00
Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs)	10	$21,441	$10.31
Medical and clinical laboratory technicians	8	$30,589	$14.71
Medical records technicians	9	$23,449	$11.27
Medical secretaries	6	$20,235	$9.73
Nurse practitioners	8	$82,595	$39.71
Nurses, licensed practical	10	$36,158	$17.38
Nurses, registered	14	$65,365	$31.43
Pharmacists	7	$80,291	$38.60
Physicians	6	$168,932	$81.22
Physicians' assistants	4	$57,741	$27.76

TABLE 42: Annual Salaries of Surveyed Employers, continued

Source: WDG Employer Survey, January 2007

Occupation	Responses	Average Starting Rate	Median Starting Rate
Technical and Professional
Accountants	14	$59,951	$28.82
Associate engineers (2-year degree)	3	$63,533	$30.54
CAD drafters	7	$41,686	$20.04
Engineering technicians, electronic	2	$71,800	$34.52
Engineering technicians, mechanical	2	$79,080	$38.02
Engineers	11	$89,360	$42.96
Engineers, chemical	8	$98,915	$47.56
Engineers, electric and electronic	7	$82,194	$39.52
Engineers, mechanical	12	$116,265	$55.90
Sales representatives	5	$51,504	$24.76
Scientists (general)	3	$94,373	$45.37
Technicians (general)	13	$0	$0.00
Production, Maintenance and Distribution
Bench assemblers	0	$0	$0.00
Building and construction trades	3	$31,893	$15.33
CNC machine operators	2	$53,040	$25.50
Electrical and electronic repairer	4	$22,880	$11.00
Electricians	13	$59,967	$28.83
Forklift operators	6	$36,560	$17.58
Hand pickers and packagers	3	$29,120	$14.00
Heavy equipment operators	5	$42,608	$20.48
Machine operators, no setup	2	$29,123	$14.00
Machinists/manufacturing mechanic	4	$55,640	$26.75
Maintenance mechanics	13	$32,165	$15.46
Material handling laborers	4	$21,200	$10.19
Millwrights	6	$48,407	$23.27
Skilled machine trades (general)	2	$36,220	$17.41
Truck drivers	4	$40,229	$19.34
Unskilled laborers (manufacturing, repair)	8	$33,940	$16.32
Welders	6	$52,633	$25.30
Computer and Information Systems
Computer operators	3	$62,053	$29.83
Computer security specialists	3	$123,413	$59.33
Computer support specialists, technicians	6	$59,204	$28.46
Database administrators	6	$91,111	$43.80
Internet development specialists	3	$76,218	$36.64
Network technicians	4	$67,406	$32.41
Programmer/analysts	9	$80,317	$38.61
Systems analysts	6	$75,287	$36.20
Webmaster	3	$76,218	$36.64

Industry worker training is a partnership between Louisiana Department of Labor (LDOL), business and industry and a training provider, such as the Ascension Parish Technical College Campus and Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC). Programs are designed to benefit business and industry by assisting in the skill development of existing employees and thereby increasing employee productivity and the growth of the company.

Professional

Retail

Clerical

Unskilled

Skilled

SOURCE: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates

2006 Enrollment

2006 Enrollment