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Workforce Priority Headlines Heavy House Labor Agenda
A key piece of LABI’s workforce strategy is officially up today. HB 549 by Rep. Stephanie Berault (R-Slidell) will be heard in House Labor this morning, bringing forward a major employer-driven effort to close skills gaps and expand opportunity for Louisiana workers.
The legislation creates the Bayou Growth Opportunity Workforce Program (BayouWorks), an initiative focused on building training pipelines for in-demand careers and strengthening Louisiana’s talent base.
Louisiana’s workforce challenges are well documented: labor force participation remains well below the national average, and employers across industries continue to report difficulty finding workers with the skills they need.
Workforce development has been a central pillar of LABI’s economic strategy, with a focus on expanding training opportunities and strengthening career pathways. HB 549 represents a strategic next step in that effort — moving from planning to implementation.
By focusing on employer needs and real workforce shortages, the bill aims to deliver faster, more responsive training solutions that benefit both workers and job creators. Rep. Berault’s legislation would establish a program specifically aimed at connecting employers, training providers and workers to accelerate skills development in high-demand fields. BayouWorks would:
- Create targeted, employer-led workforce training investments,
- Expand access to skills training aligned with real job opportunities, and
- Help Louisianans move more quickly into higher-paying careers
For Louisiana to compete for jobs and investment, the state must strengthen its talent pipeline. Measures like HB 549 are designed to help close the gap between available jobs and available skills—a challenge that continues to limit growth and competitiveness for Louisiana’s employers, workers and the entire state.
Learn more about the proposed BayouWorks program, including the application process and requirements for employers, HERE.