School Officials Announce Partnership

 School Officials Announce Partnership

BOBBY ARDOIN

St. Landry Now.com Editor

Southland Industrial Coatings has announced a partnership that will train St. Landry Parish students in the steel coating process at the company plant located outside of Washington, La.

Company officials announced the program with the District during a regular meeting of the School Board on Thursday night.

Chance Plaisance, work orce development director for Southland Steel, told the Board that beginning in January, the company plans to employ several Washington Vocational and Technology students in the manufacturing methods used to coat and metalize steel at the plant.

Several officials associated with Southland Coatings, attended the meeting along with Washington Vocational principal Travis Bush.

Theresa Ellender, parish supervisor for Science, Technology, Energy, Art and Mathematics, said the partnership with Southland Steel is a significant step for parish vocational school students who are being introduced into the corporate workforce.

“We are working hard to make sure that every kid gets every opportunity to be successful,” Ellender said.

Plaisance said the $13 million facility covers 8,000 square feet where workers paint, coat and fireproof steel.