The Port of New Orleans is set to host the 2nd Annual Maritime Workforce Summit and Career Expo presented by WWL-TV’s ‘We Choose Louisiana.”
Designed to expand awareness of the economic impact of commerce on the Lower Mississippi River and highlight career opportunities and pathways, the Summit will feature an array of speakers from industry and academia, along with a panel discussion on how industry can collaborate with educators to fulfill current and future workforce opportunities.
“This Summit is designed to educate community stakeholders of the economic impact of trade, transportation and logistics throughout the region and build a coalition of advocates to help leverage resources to develop a highly-skilled local workforce for the future,” said Gary LaGrange, Port President and CEO. “I want to thank our partners and sponsors for their efforts to help support and grow this event each year.”
The summit begins at 8:30 a.m. in the Great Hall of the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The program includes welcoming remarks from LaGrange, followed by Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack leading an in-depth discussion of LABI’s recent Maritime Workforce Study. Jessica Vallelungo, Career Technical Education Coordinator for St. Bernard Parish School Board, will then discuss Louisiana’s “Jumpstart Program,” which provides career track curriculums for vocational and technical professions.
The panel discussion, titled “Next Steps: Career Pathways and Industry Collaboration,” will include Kelly Dimarco, Career Technical Education Coordinator for Plaquemines Parish School Board; Kristi App, vice president of J.W. Allen Co.; Randy Guillot, President of Triple G Express; and Bethany Stich, Professor, University of New Orleans Transportation Institute and Mario Munoz, President, Turn Services. Jana Sikdar, Director of Workforce and Retention for GNO Inc., will serve as the moderator.
The panel discussion will be followed by a Career Expo from 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Booth vendors will showcase their business by highlighting jobs in demand and career tracks to achieve the skills necessary for those jobs.
Career booth venders include Canal Barge Company, Associated Terminals, Turn Services, Crescent Towing, UNO Transportation Institute, ARTCO, Marquette Transportation, U.S. Coast Guard, and General Dynamics.
Summit sponsors include Associated Terminals, Turn Services, Louisiana Maritime International Chamber of Commerce, International Freight Forwarders Customs House Brokers Association of New Orleans, Big River Coalition, GIOBYTE Innovative Advertising, River Heritage Foundation and the Mississippi Valley Trade and Transport Council.