The following editorial appeared in The TownTalk newspaper on August 30, 2007
Our View: 'Raise 'Em Up' brings reality to development
George Robertson believes in making a big difference in the world, but he doesn't believe in "tilting at windmills." Leave that to Don Quixote and others who joust with imaginary giants and dream impossible dreams.
Robertson is far more pragmatic: He wants to change the world by changing how people fit into it through training and development.
He's in the right position to do that. Robertson is president and CEO of Cenla Advantage Partnership, a private, non-profit economic development organization based in Alexandria. The partnership, known as CAP, is funded by the Rapides Foundation and private business interests.
Robertson and Rick Ranson, director of business development, are in the forefront of a CAP initiative to improve the skills of Central Louisiana residents so they are prepared to fill positions offered by local employers and positioned to be promoted when the opportunity arises.
The "Raise 'Em Up" program works with employers in 11 parishes to identify jobs that need to be filled and to quantify the skills needed to succeed in those positions. CAP then will assess applicants, provide guidance and recommend remediation and skills-development training.
CAP is working with the Louisiana Vocation-Technical School, Louisiana State University at Alexandria, the Learning Center of Rapides Parish and other institutions to provide training.
It is exciting to see such a practical, hands-on approach to workforce development and real-world education.
Such realistic workforce development is essential for Central Louisiana. Employers need qualified help and lots more of it; the region needs local businesses to grow and prosper; and investors looking for new opportunities look first for communities that value learning and positive results.
"Our measure of success is standard of living," Robertson told The Town Talk.
To that end, "Raise 'Em Up" works with employers who pay at least $8 an hour and offer a benefits package. It's a place to start evaluating the employment landscape and to put more people on the road to better things. It also will help CAP work toward its vision to:
Create a system that produces a qualified workforce.
Generate a 10 percent increase in employment from the 2005 baseline.
Raise the income level to the national average indexed for the regional cost of living.
And be the catalyst for effective, positive relationships among economic-development organizations in Central Louisiana.
In a world that too often only dreams of being better, these are realistic goals worth pursuing.
Learn about Cenla Advantage Partnership online at www.capcenla.org. Or call (318) 767-3001 or (318) 767-3016.
